[quote=@TheIratePirate]
The Royal Navy never was -quite- as aristocratic as the army, in which one might simply buy a commission if one had money. Navy officers needed specific training for which a specific inclination and talent was particularly prized, no matter how blue your blood was, tho it might incur you preferential treatment, not guarantee you a command. You did need to pass the examination for lieutenant before a board of captains to become an officer, and that could not be bought. Captains also had the freedom to take on whomever they pleased on as midshipmen. There was a clear incentive to taking on those who had letters (incurring favor with those up the chain of command to make [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-captain]Post[/url], for example), but a less fortunate Captain, say one that might have a few debts might take one as a personal favor, or might take his own child, or the child of a career seaman as form of recognition and thanks for his service.
[/quote]

Nice, okay. So how would... her using a letter forged in her father's name sound like? Since he would've been (or still is, perhaps) a seaman, it may or may not lend to her favor.