Matross Definition

Matrosses first appeared on the establishment in 1639. They were Gunners' Assistants, i.e. the 'servitor Gunners' or 'inferior Gunners' of former years upgraded and given a more respectable title. Unlike their predecessors they were all on the same rate of pay, somewhat lower than the Gunner's.

The word comes from the German matrossen meaning sailors because the tasks allotted them in action, i.e. traversing, loading, firing, sponging, manning dragropes, etc, were deemed to be sailors' work. They were less highly trained technically than Gunners.