The cannons

Cannons ranged in size from 2-pounders to massive 32-pounders.* Gun carraiges where placed on tracks with pullies to facilitate moving them back and forth.

Water

Water stored in barrels generally went brackish (green) after a few days. To make it palitable it was mixed with one part rum to create grog. Named for the fact that too much made a sailor groggy. Drunkeness was a frequent problem.The tradition of a daily rum ration in the Royal Navy started in 1655 and ended in 1970. A sailor was also provided with one gallon of beer a day although extra beer was availble from a communal barrel.

Food

Food preservation was virtually unknown. Hard biscuits were a staple. (sailors banged them against a hard surface to remove weevils) Other staples included oats, cheese, butter peas and potatoes. A sailor was alotted six pounds of salted beef or pork a week. Fresh meat from livestock on board was reserved for offficers.

Flogging

Administered by trhe bosun's mate. Punishment could be for everything from inefficiency to disobedience depending on the captain.

Battle

Although battle was infrequent when it did happen casualties could exceed 150 men. Engagements were so bloody that sand was spead on the deck to prevent sailors from slipping. In battle opposing vessels would position themselves in lines going opposite directions and place themselves as close as possible to deliver a broadside. If a ship wasn't disabled a boarding parties would be dispatched.

Royal Navy casualties in all major fleet actions

5,000 killed in action

70,000 killed from disease

The surgeon

Naval surgeons of the time had a reputation for incompetance and drunkeness. The most frequent treatment for an injury was amputation, a proceedure most surgeons became quite skilled at. A severed limb was usually sealed with pitch. If a victim survived an amputation his chance of survival were slim because of the possibility of gangrene or blood poisoning.

Prize money

If a crew captured a merchant vessel or other ship the captain and crew were entitled to the money from the sale. One quarter was divided among the seamen, one quarter to the captain, one eighth among the officers, one eighth among NCO's and midshipmen, one eighth to the warrant officers and one eighth went to he admiral.

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Sources: 'Hornblower's Navy," by Steve Pope and Fighting Sail,' 'Cross-Section Man-of War'