What authority did a sailing ship's master hold?

Was a sailing ship's master an NCO, and how did that affect his authority over midshipmen?

He was a warrant officer and navigation specialist, and midshipmen took instruction from him despite the difference in status.

The exchange clarifies that the title of master did not make its holder a modern commissioned executive officer. He was a warrant officer and the ship's specialist in navigation. Midshipmen nevertheless received instruction from him and were expected to follow it rather than treating rank category as permission to ignore expertise. The answer illustrates the older specialist-training structure that common technical education later sought to broaden.