Hi folks, could anyone help with this?
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Are there any circumstances in which a Sea Captain (or other officer) would wear a "white coat with gold buttons"?
I don't know if Mercantile or Royal.
The year would be abt 1866 - the place most probably Campbeltown, Argylls (but possibly Glasgow).
Or are there other occupations that might wear that type of "uniform" around then?
--
Any thoughts most welcome!
Thanks - Jack
"White coat with gold buttons"
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Jack
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DavidWW
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Re: "White coat with gold buttons"
Common to see that form of dress on passenger ships for the officers when dining with passengers. Not fully sure about the gold buttons........Jack wrote:Hi folks, could anyone help with this?
--
Are there any circumstances in which a Sea Captain (or other officer) would wear a "white coat with gold buttons"?
I don't know if Mercantile or Royal.
The year would be abt 1866 - the place most probably Campbeltown, Argylls (but possibly Glasgow).
Or are there other occupations that might wear that type of "uniform" around then?
--
Any thoughts most welcome!
Thanks - Jack
David
Last edited by DavidWW on Sat Feb 11, 2006 9:47 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Jack
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Re: "White coat with gold buttons"
Hi David,
That had crossed my mind - ie dressing up for dinner with passengers.
But in 1866? In the town of Campbeltown?
Did officers have white uniforms then? Possibly, if they sailed in the tropics.
Though wearing whites in a west of Scotland climate is taking a chance - even in summer!
Much obliged to you.
Jack
ps, my questions are just rhetorical - only me thinking aloud!
pps, i should've done some googling first. Came across this -
The white tropical uniform, first introduced in 1877, comprised a tunic and white trousers.
The former, familiarly known as the 'ice-cream' jacket was based on the design of a blue working dress jacket
in service at the time but subsequently displaced by the 1891 Review.
So not Royal Navy, and doubtful if Mercantile either - but can't see when they first had "whites".
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That had crossed my mind - ie dressing up for dinner with passengers.
But in 1866? In the town of Campbeltown?
Did officers have white uniforms then? Possibly, if they sailed in the tropics.
Though wearing whites in a west of Scotland climate is taking a chance - even in summer!
Much obliged to you.
Jack
ps, my questions are just rhetorical - only me thinking aloud!
pps, i should've done some googling first. Came across this -
The white tropical uniform, first introduced in 1877, comprised a tunic and white trousers.
The former, familiarly known as the 'ice-cream' jacket was based on the design of a blue working dress jacket
in service at the time but subsequently displaced by the 1891 Review.
So not Royal Navy, and doubtful if Mercantile either - but can't see when they first had "whites".
--
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StewL
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- Location: Perth Western Australia
Hello Jack
Although this may not be of any assistance as to time when whites were instituted.
Even in colder climes, the "Ice Cream suits" as we called them were worn in any climate during "summer" period. Interestingly on some occasions they were even used in winter. Ceremonial sunset is one I recall, as I did it on my 21st Birthday in Sydney in October, and missed out on my beer issue for duty watch
But if ship was in tropics it was standard to wear whites for ceremonies but then again blue pants white top was acceptable too, depending where you were. See I told you it probably wouldnt help just confuse
But then again this was RAN/RN so not merchant
and not as far back as you require assistance for. When ships were made of wood and men were made of steel, not my days 
Although this may not be of any assistance as to time when whites were instituted.
Even in colder climes, the "Ice Cream suits" as we called them were worn in any climate during "summer" period. Interestingly on some occasions they were even used in winter. Ceremonial sunset is one I recall, as I did it on my 21st Birthday in Sydney in October, and missed out on my beer issue for duty watch
But if ship was in tropics it was standard to wear whites for ceremonies but then again blue pants white top was acceptable too, depending where you were. See I told you it probably wouldnt help just confuse
But then again this was RAN/RN so not merchant
and not as far back as you require assistance for. When ships were made of wood and men were made of steel, not my days Stewie
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Jack
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Re: "White coat with gold buttons"
Hi Stewie
I've been trying to help someone with a wee (make that big!) problem as regards parentage.
"...he saw his father when he was about six years old, and he was wearing a white coat with gold buttons..."
(the "gold" buttons could well be gleaming brass)
It had been passed on to descendants of the 1860 born 6yr old that his father was a sea captain.
I'm just finding it hard to understand why a naval man would wear white clothes,
especially in a small town (unless for show) around 1866; i'd have expected the more practical blue.
(and i'm sure he wasn't the cook, or a baker, with high ideas!)
Thanks for writing, and "Ice Cream suits" does sound more cooling!
Jack
I've been trying to help someone with a wee (make that big!) problem as regards parentage.
"...he saw his father when he was about six years old, and he was wearing a white coat with gold buttons..."
(the "gold" buttons could well be gleaming brass)
It had been passed on to descendants of the 1860 born 6yr old that his father was a sea captain.
I'm just finding it hard to understand why a naval man would wear white clothes,
especially in a small town (unless for show) around 1866; i'd have expected the more practical blue.
(and i'm sure he wasn't the cook, or a baker, with high ideas!)
Thanks for writing, and "Ice Cream suits" does sound more cooling!
Jack
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Hugh Stevely
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White coat gold buttons.
Hi Jack
I see on the Merchant navy . net site there is some info up on your? some good some not-- some time gold buttons had the ships Company name engraved on them.
Hugh.
I see on the Merchant navy . net site there is some info up on your? some good some not-- some time gold buttons had the ships Company name engraved on them.
Hugh.
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Jack
- Posts: 1808
- Joined: Sat Dec 11, 2004 5:34 pm
- Location: Paisley
Re: "White coat with gold buttons"
Hi Hugh,
Thanks for taking time to reply - sounds very reasonable that private shipping companies
would have something to distinguish themselves (and maybe their own distinctive crest too?).
I'll need to do another search for the site later though - my computer crashed at the weekend
Took a pal 6hrs, and installing a new HD with an old operating system, just to get into the computer to see the damage.
Glad to say it now seems to be all repaired, but a good number of things are needing an urgent back up.
(just in case it goes pear-shaped again!)
Cheers - Jack
Thanks for taking time to reply - sounds very reasonable that private shipping companies
would have something to distinguish themselves (and maybe their own distinctive crest too?).
I'll need to do another search for the site later though - my computer crashed at the weekend
Took a pal 6hrs, and installing a new HD with an old operating system, just to get into the computer to see the damage.
Glad to say it now seems to be all repaired, but a good number of things are needing an urgent back up.
(just in case it goes pear-shaped again!)
Cheers - Jack