Why is the first mate on a ship addressed as "Mr"?

[HOGEPH]

Any reason why historically the first mate is usually addressed so formally?

[TVR1]

HOGEPH said:

Any reason why historically the first mate is usually addressed so formally?

Short for 'Master' he is the defacto 2nd in command of the Captain.

[HOGEPH]

Thanks for the information.

[JeremyH5]

It's a bit more complex according to this:
http://www.pdavis.nl/Q4.htm

[Guvernator]

Was always confused by this when I watched Star Trek Wrath of Khan when I was little and they kept referring to the female Vulcan as "Mr" Saavik, assumed it was some weird Vulcan sex-change thing.

[Popeyed]

The Chief Officer on merchant vessels is often referred to as the Mate or the Chief Mate, however, I don't ever recall being called Mr Mate when in that rank at sea.

[kowalski655]

Captain Pugwash had a Master Bates in his crew






Yes,I know its an urban legend!

[Kenty]

I believe it came from the RN days when the master and mate were non-commissioned and the RN officers called them 'MR' to add deference to their position.

[Foliage]

HOGEPH said:

Any reason why historically the first mate is usually addressed so formally?

Mister 'whatever' instead of just 'whatever' is used as a sign of respect, a captain would want to address his 2nd in command (and other lower rank officers) with respect, wouldn't be required to address him as 'sir' or by his rank, but just shouting his surname would be disrespectful.

Master is something entirely different and the ships master would be addressed by all ranks as Master, and was a senior NCO in charge of discipline.

If another rank was in charge of the handling/navigation of the ship they would be refered to a coxswain.

This is how I understand it, being from a naval family, the tradition of it is probably far more complex than that.