Although the close proximity of crewmen of different social ranks and races aboard ship may have had the potential to break down the barriers normal to dry land, the question of rank remained a constant throughout the period of this study, particularly on Royal Navy vessels, and affected almost every aspect of crewmen's lives. On board ship, warrant officers are effectively very experienced senior non-commissioned officers, although technically in a class of their own between NCOs and commissioned officers. Some branches of the warrant officer class craved acceptance from their fellow officers. Pursers, surgeons and chaplains considered themselves gentlemen, as they were the only university graduates aboard. These gentlemanly warrant officers had long desired to be distinguished from the lower sort of warrant officers who had unequivocally risen from the ranks, such as boatswains, gunners and carpenters, by being allowed to dine with the gentlemen officers and wear uniforms. In 1787 their rising status was finally marked with the first official uniform. The efficiency of a ship, however, depended upon the lower sorts of warrant officers, the boatswain in particular. The trick was finding first-class seamen whose authority would be recognized by the men from among whom they had arisen.

As an example of the importance of rank, even leisure activities were compartmentalized to an astonishing degree. Music and amateur theatricals were encouraged by many captains and admirals, not the least being Nelson, as a means of raising morale and relieving boredom, particularly during the inactivity of a blockade. Collingwood wrote in 1807:

The same year, while serving in the Mediterranean, HMS Royal George had three different acting companies performing on alternate nights. Each was graded by social rank: Shakespeare's Henry IV was presented as suitable fare for the wardroom officers, the midshipmen saw the ‘genteel comedy’ The Poor Gentlemen, while Foote's ‘broad farce’ The Mayor of Garrett entertained the bawdier lower deck.