Seaman

Seaman is another word for sailor, used especially of the crews of seagoing ships. In navies it is also a rank: in the Royal Navy the lowest, below able seaman, and in the U.S. Navy a rate below petty officer.

The 1900 census instructions asked enumerators to return a sailor on a steam or sailing vessel by that distinct occupation, but a man who made his living by fishing as a fisherman. Seafaring men were counted at their land homes even while at sea.