Is the Skipper a Captain?

"Out here a man settles his own problems."
John Wayne - THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE

The answers to the Captains Quiz

"Mister Roberts" The James Cagney character's grade is that of Lieutentant. Henry Fonda (Mr. Roberts) is a Lt. Junior Grade. Wartime had a shortage of officers so they had a "lowly" Lt. commanding the cargo ship.

"Mutiny on the Bounty" Anthony Hopkins (Capt. Bligh) is addressed as Leftentant during the inquiry following the mutiny. Bligh must have achieved full Captain rank in his career though, because he retired as a Vice-Admiral.

"Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" Lee Crane the captain of the sub had a Commander's Rank. He had a silver cluster on his collar. Though they had a flag officer (Admiral Nelson) on board, Crane was the skipper of the boat.

"Hunt for Red October" Scott Glenn (Bart Mancuso) wore the silver Commander's cluster on his collar. I won't pretend to understand Soviet Naval ranks especially since the movie did not address the Red October's officers pay-grades (ranks). The book describes Ramius as Captain 1st Rank which is probably equivalent to a Commodore or Vice Rear Admiral in the US Navy. Borodin was described as Captain 2nd Rank which is probably equivalent to a US Navy Captain. Sam Neill did wear 4 stripes on his sleeve.

"Crimson Tide" Hackman's character was a full bird Captain. Note the Alabama is a Ballistic Missle sub which requires a full Captain in command (I'm guessing). Mancuso (above) was in command of an attack-sub which can have "lesser" ranks/experience in charge.

Frankly, I don't remember what rank McHale was. It was probably Lt or Lt jg. He reported to Captain Binghamton, who was a full bird Captain.

On "Gilligan's Island" the Skipper was addressed as Captain by the Howells because he was in charge of the Minnow. Of course he was no longer in the military and it was never established what his rank in the Navy was. It was probably a Chief Petty Officer because it was mentioned he was a Botswain's mate.

Captain John Smith was not in the British Navy. He was a soldier which would have made his rank the equivalent of a Naval LT.

Star Trek Captains were all full Captains. The original series and movies had a strange set of insignia for their officers. The Next Generation and subsequent shows fell more into line with current Navy insignia with 4 collar pips signifying a Captain. Ben Sisko started his series as a Commander but was promoted to full Captain when Deep Space Nine became a Major Starbase. Spock became a full Captain and was not demoted once Kirk permanently retook command of the Enterprise (ST-IV). They invented Captain of Engineering for Scotty (ST-III) which he kept all the way to retirement. Sulu was promoted to full Captain (ST-VI) when he took command of the Excelsior. And in ST-I, Wil Decker was the Captain of the Enterprise but took a temporary demotion to Commander when Kirk commanded the mission to V'GER.

I didn't mention Captain Merrill Steubing of "The Love Boat". He had 4 stripes on his shoulder boards, so I guess he can be considered a full Captain in Merchant Services. Whatever!

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