Bryan,
I am not 100% on ERA's but I can supply what I do know -
During Victorian times commencing circa 1860 ERA's were in 5 classes from ERA5th to ERA1st class, then Chief ERA 2nd & 1st class were added as the senior rates within the branch. The Chief ERA's wore the three distinctive cuff buttons that were adopted by all CPO's around turn of 19th to 20th C.
By circa 1884 the ERA 5th & 4th class were being phased out & ERA's came in a 3rd class entrants. Of course to get into the ERA branch they had to have completed a 5 to 7 yr Apprenticeship, usually in a civil capacity or within the Dockyards. Other skilled (Apprenticeship) trades that entered as ERA's were Coppersmith, Whitesmith, Boilermakers, Platemakers, Steamfitters, Foundry trades & similar trades. All of these trades had a place in the Victorian/Edwardian navy.
Here are some of the yearly Pay rates for ERA's in 1884-85::
ERA4 - 100/7/6
ERA3 -104/18/9
ERA2 -109/19/0
ERA1 - 118/12/6
Ch ERA2 -127/15/0
Ch ERA1 - 136/17/6
CH ERA (old system) - 123/3/10
ERA's were the highest paid ratings in the RN. When EA's(Electrical Artificers) were introduced around turn of C they rec'd the same pay scale as ERA's.
By 1914 a Chief EA or ERA was earning 136/17/6, a very respectable salary for the time & likely better than he might earn if employed in a civil job.
Compare the ERA rates with a Seaman PO/CPO rates of pay in 1884-85::
AB - 28/17/11
LS - 31/18/9
PO2 - 36/10/0
PO1 - 39/10/10 rising with service as PO to - 44/2/1
CPO - 48/13/4 rising with service as CPO to - 57/15/10
The next highest paid rating would be the CPO Torpedo Artificer at - 118/12/6,
then the Naval Schoolmaster at - 109/10/0.
RCN Bryan
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