NavList:

Trevor wrote:

"Granted that Harvard College in 1826 had not yet earned a reputation to
rival the older English universities, while Sumner studied there at an
age closer to modern high school than university. Still, it is all a bit
odd."

 

Even today, I meet Europeans who are amazed that Americans in this century can change jobs, career paths, etc. so easily without regard to established patterns and educational prerequisites (and not just Europeans with respect to Americans, of course, but I'm speaking from my own experience specifically here). In the 19th century sailing "before the mast" was no disgrace for an American sailor. Furthermore, many common sailors were given a real financial stake in their voyages. For example, on Bowditch's voyages to the Indies, each crewman was allowed to trade separately on his own account and bring back a small cargo of his own to sell. American crews were regarded as disciplined and professional by many European commentators of that era in part because of this egalitarian atmosphere. And yes, a common sailor could advance, buy his own vessel, and hire his own crew. In the 19th century, a large fraction of US ocean-going vessels were owned by "small businesses", as we would call them today. A captain and a couple of investors could send a sailing ship around the world and come back a few years later richer than gods.

 

I, also, would recommend reading Dana's "Two Years Before the Mast". It's available online (see the Links section on my web site). It's a great story, and it will give you a Harvard man's view of life at sea at mid-century. And finally, don't forget Herman Melville.