Shipmaster View

The term master came from old Latin language used during the imperial Roman age, from the old Roman term magister navis, that is, the nobleman patrizio designated as maximum authority on board the vessel. The magister navis had the right to use the laurus or corona laurèa.
From this old roman age tradition the modern shipmaster of a few nations use to wear on the cap's vizor the golden laurel leaves.
• Sailing master (naval)
In the Royal Navy in the days of sail, "master" was often used as an abbreviation for the sailing master, the warrant officer responsible for the navigation and steering of the vessel. The position of sailing master was later commissioned and renamed the navigating officer. The navigating officer on a flagship, however, continued to be known as the master of the fleet until after the Second World War. This term and this charge on board naval ships is far and different from master mariner that is the officer or person qualified and designated to assume the command as captain aboard merchant ships.