ction of the
captain, the working of a ship into her station in the order of battle,
and in other circumstances of danger, but he reports to the first
lieutenant, who carries out any necessary evolution. It is likewise his
duty, in concert with lieutenants on surveys, to examine and report on
the provisions. He is moreover charged with their stowage. For the
performance of these services he is allowed several assistants, who are
termed second-masters, master's assistants, &c. This officer's station
has been termed the meridional altitude of the lower order of
midshipmen, but it is requisite that he be both a good officer and a
seaman. He ranks after lieutenants according to date, but is subordinate
in command to all lieutenants.

MASTER AND COMMANDER. A title which, in 1814, was simplified to
commander, the next degree above lieutenant; he ranks with, but after, a
lieutenant-colonel.

MASTER-AT-ARMS. In former times was an officer appointed to command the
police-duty of a ship, to teach the crew the exercise of small arms, to
confine by order of superiors any prisoners, and to superintend their
confinement. Also, to take care that fires and lights were put out at
the proper hour, and no spirituous liquors brought on board. He was
assisted by _ship's corporals_, who also attended the gangway with the
sentinels. Until 1816, the junior lieutenant was nominally
lieutenant-at-arms, and drilled the seamen, assisted by the serjeant of
marines.

MASTER-ATTENDANT. An officer in the royal dockyards appointed to assist
in the fitting or dismantling, removing or securing vessels of war, &c.,
at the port where he resides; to inspect the moorings in the harbour, to
visit all the ships in ordinary, and to attend at the general musters in
the dockyard, taking care that all the individuals registered in the
navy-book are present at their duty.

MASTER MARINER. Shipmaster or captain of a merchant vessel.

MASTER OF MISRULE. An officer of an hour or two, when the hands were
piped "to mischief." The lord or abbot of misrule on shore has
immemorially been a person selected to superintend the diversions of
Christmas. In these larks, however, malicious mischief was unknown.

MASTER OF THE FLEET. A master on board the commander-in-chief's ship,
who has a general superintendence of the stores issued to the fleet, and
reports to the flag-captain any deviations from rule which he may
observe.

MASTER-SHIPWRIGHT. The chief superintendent