The Royal Ark Mariner, a mysterious Masonic degree

The Royal Ark Mariner is a rather unusual case in the history of Masonic Higher Degrees and Side Degrees. In fact, it is generally quite easy to trace the history of the various higher degrees of Freemasonry. We generally know where they came from, sometimes even who created them, and in most cases we know where and when they appeared and how they developed. But the same cannot be said of the Royal Ark Mariner, which is very widespread in Anglo-Saxon Freemasonry, but relatively unknown in continental Europe. We invite you to discover the Royal Ark Mariner, with its mysterious origins.

A mysterious origin 

The degree of Royal Ark Mariner was first mentioned in England in 1871, when it appears that it was practised within the Grand Lodge of Mark Masonry. But the degree still seems to 'belong' to the sculptor Morton Edwards (1834-1917), who was its custodian. It was only in 1884 that he sold the rights to it to the Grand Lodge of the Mark for the sum of £25 (about £3900 today, or about €4800). But where did Morton Edwards get this degree?

An 18th century origin is often suggested, and this hypothesis is entirely plausible. The rank of Royal Ark Mariner is centred on the figure of Noah and the biblical story of the Flood. It should be remembered that the 1738 version of Anderson's Constitutions explicitly made Freemasons Noachides, i.e. spiritual descendants of Noah. This was a mythical way of making Freemasonry a survival of the primordial spiritual tradition that preceded the Flood and the Mosaic religion.

We know of other Masonic degrees that revolve around the figure of Noah. We think, of course, of the Noachite or Prussian Knight, the current 21st degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. Supposedly of German origin, this degree, which probably appeared around 1758, was first published in France in 1766. In America, a degree called the Ark and the Dove has also been known since 1775: now part of the York Rite, it is a preparatory degree for the Royal Arch.

It is therefore quite possible that a degree with the figure of Noah appeared in England in the 18th century. Although the story bears no resemblance to the ritual of the Royal Ark Mariner, the legend of the discovery of Hiram's corpse by his sons, as revealed in the Graham MS of 1726, proves that Noah was already a familiar figure to English Freemasons.

Reminiscent of an ancient carpenters' ritual?

Although Freemasonry has claimed him since the 18th century, Noah was neither a mason nor a stonemason, but a carpenter. The symbolic tools of the Royal Ark Mariner are the Axe, the Saw, and the Auger, and the question arises as to whether this degree is reusing elements of very ancient rites of a form of Masonry which is no longer in use.

Noah building the ark with his three sons

The Royal Ark Mariner is perhaps the mere adaptation of the ritual tradition of another craft to the edifice of modern Freemasonry. We are tempted to think so, because this degree seems to be just the Masonic transposition of another ritual, without bringing any symbolic novelty. Let us judge for ourselves: the recipient of this degree discovers no other mysteries than beauty, strength and wisdom, followed by warchfulness, discretion, brotherly love, truth and charity. This is in no way different from the teachings of the Craft Lodge, which are simply presented here in a different context from that of the building of the Temple. The lack of specific content in this degree probably explains why it went unnoticed from its probable appearance in the eighteenth century until its revival by Morton Edwards around 1871.

The place of the Royal Ark Mariner within the Side Degrees today 

Although it first appeared in the eighteenth century, the Royal Ark Mariner did not really make its debut in England until around 1871. This is very late in the history of the development of higher degree systems and explains why the jurisdiction to which it is attached varies considerably from country to country.

In England, as mentioned above, the Royal Ark Mariner is under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Mark Masonry. The same is true in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. In Scotland it is governed by the Supreme Grand Chapter of the Royal Arch, while in the United States it is attached to the Allied Masonic Degrees, and in Canada to the Cryptic Degrees (Royal & Select Masters).

In continental Europe, the Royal Ark Mariner is much less common and is only practised by members of regular obediences, i.e. those recognised by the United Grand Lodge of England. As in England, this degree is administered by the Grand Lodge of the Mark Masonry. This is the case in France, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Spain.