- description
- # CHAPTER LII. SOMETHING CONCERNING MIDSHIPMEN.
## Overview
This is a chapter from the novel [White-Jacket](arke:01KG8AJ89Z18FKVJV5H0488ZAZ) by Herman Melville. It is chapter 52 of the novel, titled "Something Concerning Midshipmen." The chapter was extracted on January 30, 2026, by a structure extraction process.
## Context
The chapter is part of the larger [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW) collection and was extracted from the text file [white_jacket.txt](arke:01KG89J19NC56FFGBCM2SWEZZY). It is preceded by [CHAPTER LI. ONE OF “THE PEOPLE” HAS AN AUDIENCE WITH THE COMMODORE AND THE CAPTAIN ON THE QUARTER-DECK.](arke:01KG8AJSTQ0JH1SNY55XKEJYYJ) and followed by [CHAPTER LIII.\nSEAFARING PERSONS PECULIARLY SUBJECT TO BEING UNDER THE WEATHER.—THE\nEFFECTS OF THIS UPON A MAN-OF-WAR CAPTAIN.](arke:01KG8AJSTQQXR5SQ03FTTZR1W1).
## Contents
This chapter discusses the role and behavior of midshipmen in the navy, particularly focusing on their authority over seamen and the potential for abuse. It recounts an incident of a waister being flogged at the complaint of a midshipman and critiques the principle that a midshipman's orders must be obeyed without question. The chapter references Lord Collingwood's approach to handling complaints against seamen and contrasts the behavior of midshipmen in the American and English navies. It also describes an exception to the norm, a kind midshipman nicknamed "Boat Plug" who was well-liked by the crew. The chapter concludes by noting the limited legal authority of Navy Captains to punish midshipmen and provides an anecdote about Captain Claret's treatment of a midshipman. The chapter is divided into four chunks: [Chunk 1](arke:01KG8AMFEW7S9KP9XVMBMQ4DKD), [Chunk 2](arke:01KG8AMFEWJRX4Y93EKX2895FA), [Chunk 3](arke:01KG8AMFEWFBW6JN6XWC2G32KF), and [Chunk 4](arke:01KG8AMFEYWNDP6ZVGQG2F76KT).
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- 2026-01-30T20:49:53.268Z
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- description_title
- CHAPTER LII. SOMETHING CONCERNING MIDSHIPMEN.
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- 8518
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- 2026-01-30T20:47:39.667Z
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- title
- CHAPTER LII. SOMETHING CONCERNING MIDSHIPMEN.