In order to become deputy, a ship must have a rank of battleship, (crosser if merchant) to be selected.

Olympic Speaks: Becoming Deputy Twice

I had barely four voyages under my keel when Oceanic chose me to be her deputy.

I was in Belfast undergoing repairs after the disastrous end to my fifth voyage. Oceanic's old deputy, Britannic (not my sister), had died from Propellerous.

In case you don't know what that is, Propellerous is a fatal infection off the aft keel area. It slowly impairs the ship, making it impossible for her to control her mechanics.

Once that happens, the ship could collide with another or run aground. Either way, she becomes a danger to others as well as herself.

The disease is also extremely painful and although I've never had it myself, I can say for certain that it's worse than leukemia and childbirth combined.

Although Oceanic was devastated at the loss of her most trusted, much loved deputy, she didn't wait long to choose another. There is no set time from when the old deputy dies to the time when the leader must choose another. She could choose at any time.

I had never given much thought to the idea of becoming deputy. I had no desire to lead. All I wanted was to be a loyal crosser and serve Oceanic the best I could.

The same went for Dreadnought. For my ramming of U-103 during the Great War, she commissioned me into the navy at the honorary rank of battleship.

Yet again, I was qualified to become deputy. The code dictates that only a battleship or a ship with a battleship rank could be chosen to be deputy in the navy. The equal in the merchant fleet would be crosser.

Since the navy has more variety, there are many more ranks. Basically in order from highest to lowest they are battleship, battlecruiser, heavy cruiser, light cruiser, destroyer, and destroyer escort. With the introduction of the aircraft carrier in the 30's, their rank became higher than the battleship's. Usually, cruisers and the occasional destroyers are given the rank of battleship and are only given lower if they've been demoted.

The merchant fleet's rank is crosser, freighter, container, tender, barge and tug. Out of these, only a crosser or a ship with a crosser's rank can become deputy. My deputy, Celtic was built as a freighter but has a crossers rank and qualifies for the position.

When Dreadnought chose me to become her deputy, I was a bit surprised. I already led one fleet, did she really think I could lead another? Apparently so because before I knew it, I controlled the most powerful fleet on the planet.

It was a bit daunting at first but I got used to it eventually. I have a good, strong deputy named Hood who handles the day to day activities when I'm on the Atlantic run.

She's patient and kind when the other ships need it most and can be equally as firm when it comes to maintaining discipline. She'll make a great leader one day.