I am using Google to translate family history from Swedish notes.The terms "båtsmän" and "förbbubblingsbåtsman" have come up in my research of the 1700's in Sweden. I've been using 'bosun' as an English equivalent. I found that one ancestor had a "Knubb" surname added to his surname Nilsson because he was an acting bosun(?) And then I learned that roughly translated "The farmers in Arnäs were required to hire 23 Bosuns on each rotation in the summer" and "...Nilsson sat on the rotation number 22 for 30 years until 1718, when he comes to Ström".
I'm wondering if the 'bosun' is simply a sailor of undetermined rank? was it a reserve role for winter use, then back to sea in the summer? Or am I completely in error.
I'd be happy if someone could tell me what this is all about.
Erik