Was Mr Hollom's stalled career unusual?

Was Mr Hollom's stalled career in Master and Commander unusual?

A stalled midshipman could be moved to press-service, stores, or other shore work while a patron tried to reset his career away from a damaging shipboard reputation.

Mr Hollom's case illustrates the real career options available to an officer who could not pass for lieutenant. Remaining aboard the same ship indefinitely after promotion had failed would have been rare. A patron might place him in press-service or naval stores work ashore, where he could remain useful and perhaps rebuild his prospects. Moving to another ship could also separate him from a reputation for bringing misfortune, an idea sailors expressed through the language of a Jonah. Patronage could redirect a weak career without guaranteeing promotion.