A typical seaman in the Royal Navy in the early 19th Century was awakened at 3:40. He and his mates gathered on the deck for muster and inspection and then morning watch began. Each tar (as the sailors were called) had a job to do. Some would scrub and swab the deck. Others worked on the rigging (the ropes attached to the sails and masts), the masts, and the sails. Some went through gun drills with the cannons. Breakfast was served at 7:00. It usually consisted of oatmeal and coffee. Forenoon watch was more of the same. 11:30 was lunch. This might consist of beef lobscouse which was a salt beef stew with potatoes, carrots, and onions served with a biscuit (watch out for the weevils!). The beverage was called grog. It was one part rum to three parts water with some lime juice mixed in to prevent a disease called scurvy. At 1:15 P.M., there was another muster on deck and then afternoon watch began. At 4:00, the tars got some down time where they could tell stories, joke around, play dice and cards, or sing sea songs. Supper came at 6:30. It might feature pease pudding which was made with split peas, butter, and eggs. You were in your hammock at 10:00.
HMS Victory
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