u.s. department of commerce mail cadets 1928-1938
Any discussion of insignia worn by the United States Maritime Commission Cadet Corps is not complete without mention of its precursor – the U.S. Department of Commerce mail cadet. The mail cadet system was instituted under the provisions of the Merchant Marine Act of 1928; it stipulated that Federally-subsidized steamships carry ocean-mail and:
Overall, not much is written about how the mail cadets were organized; it is assumed that cadets wore uniforms and insignia prescribed by the shipping lines on whose vessels they served. By the late 1930s, the practice was for cadets to remain with a company for three years as a fourth officer and after study and work, and for them to sit for a third examination and become a licensed third officer.
Below, find an example of a cap device along with an image of a cadet in dress uniform.
Cap & Cap Device
The cap is of the distinct “complete cap” style; the U.S. Navy and merchant fleet as a whole began wearing this style of cap around 1922, having abandoned the kepi-like “Bell Crown” style of cap. Unlike caps that began to be worn in the late-1930s, the crown and the visor are slightly smaller than their successors giving a “smart” appearance (crown increased in 1938 by 1/2″).
Although not officially documented, a period photograph indicates cadets at the time wore a simple cap badge with a screw propellor badge – the photograph below is annotated “Deck Cadet.” Of interest is the chin strap – it is 1/2″ (U.S.N.A. midshipmen chin straps were 1/4″).
Collar Device
As seen on the standing collar there is a pair of insignia; it remains unidentified.
Uniform
It is worth mentioning the industry had its dress standards at the time and shipping companies used shared chandlers and insignia distributors; thus, mail cadet in the photograph could be assigned to any number of ocean-mail carrying lines. Although the U.S. Navy adopted the double-breasted blazer or reefer in 1919, cadets continued to wear the service coat that first appeared in the fleet in 1877 as late as 1923. The 1877 coat was single-breasted and tight-fitted with a fly front and standing collar.
Collection entries
Photograph, “Mail Cadet”, Deck Cadet
Cap Badge, “Mail Cadet,” Engineering