Yeoman of the Powder

[Reg Scribe]

HMS Egmont Muster Book ADM 36/10902, records John Thompson aboard from 5th July 1790 as an Able seaman No.296. HMS Egmont Pay Book ADM 35/568 records John promoted to Yeoman of the Powder from 3rd August 1790. Would he now be a warrant officer?

[Cy]

Not a warrant officer, "Yeoman of the Powder Room" is a petty officer, in charge of the stores in the powder room. He was paid at the same rate as a boatswain's mate. He would have been paid between £1 6s and £1 15s per lunar month of 28 days, higher in the 1st and second rates.

The only Warrant officers ranks are :
[Sailing] Master
Gunner
Carpenter
Boatswain
Purser
Surgeon
Chaplain, if there was one.

These positions are all warranted by one of the various navy boards, everybody else, excepting the commissioned officers, is nominally rated (appointed) by the captain.