Marine Engineer (E & M).....

ninatoo · Post by **ninatoo** » Fri May 26, 2006 1:51 am

I have an ancestor who had the occupation of Marine Engineer (E & M). Does anyone know what the E and M stand for?

Nina

Russell · Post by **Russell** » Fri May 26, 2006 9:50 am

Hi Nina
Can't be positive but E for Electrical M for Mechanical Engineer is most likely.
Large ships would carry men qualified in each branch. Smaller vessels economised by hiring on a dual trained engineer to keep the diesels working, maintain the donkey engines, fix the various other mechanical breakdowns which would happen.

Russell

Post by **Liz Turner** » Fri May 26, 2006 5:56 pm

Hi Nina

I too have found the same initials, and elsewhere the people concerned are found as Mechanical or Electrical engineers, so I'm pretty sure that Russell has hit the nail on the head.

Liz

ninatoo · Post by **ninatoo** » Sat May 27, 2006 8:13 am

Thanks for the replies Russell and Liz. It makes sense to me, except that I was married to an electrical engineer, and I know he had to choose his 'branch'. I didn't know you could be more than one type of engineer.
Thanks again,

Nina

Russell · Post by **Russell** » Sat May 27, 2006 3:24 pm

Hi Nina
A neighbour of mine was in the Royal Navy. While he was in submarines he was the senior qualified man in mechanical, electrical, electronic engineering as well as having additional qualifications in weapons support.
Except for the last one his expertise was recognised once he retired back to civvie street. I don't suppose there is much call for a weapons engineer in civilian companies!

Now he is retired he builds model steam engines which use all his expertise so they can chuff sedately round his back garden.

Russell