Object's focus: The seaman’s chest

17 Apr 2015

The crew of Cutty Sark would each have a small chest or bag in their cabin, in which they kept all their belongings while on board, except the clothes they was wearing.

The crew also furnished their wooden bunks themselves with simple mattresses – sometimes known as a ‘Donkey’s Breakfast’ as they were made of straw.   Merchant sailors, like those serving on Cutty Sark, would not have been issued a uniform, but rather would have their own set of basic clothes for the voyage.  This would include waterproof clothing for heavy weather (a sou’wester, a jacket and sea-boots) as well as light clothing for warmer climates.  The officers and apprentices would probably also have a smarter set of clothes for ‘Sunday best’.

The crew in their Sunday best as they entertain guests on board in port, April 1887, Sydney © Cutty Sark Trust

 

In addition to clothes, they would bring mementoes from home as well as things to keep them busy when they were not on duty: writing materials, books, cards, perhaps a ship model they were making or an instrument to play. Captain Woodget – Master of Cutty Sark 1885-1895 – practised many hobbies in between watches including photography, riding a bike and roller-skating. The officers would also have their own navigational instruments –a sextant for taking sights, a telescope and a chronometer.

Sailmaker and boy, photograph taken by Captain Woodget, 1880s © National Maritime Museum, London

 

On the ship’s maiden voyage in 1870, AB Robert Fisher died of dysentery and an inventory of his effects gives an idea of the typical belongings of a seamen: "One chest, one suit blue flannel, one pair cloth trousers, one cloth vest, one pair drawers, one singlet, two pairs cotton trousers, two pairs socks, one pair stockings,….one pair mitts, one pair sea boots, two caps, laid felt hat, one sou'wester, one pair braces, three linen collars, one pillow case, one razor, one pocket knife, two books, needles, thread and buttons, one palm, one sheath, one small looking glass, one comb." He also had a number of personal effects, including "a lock of hair, three small pieces of gold (apparently a broken earring), a small inkstand and a card….of himself" which were sent back to his sister. Apprentice Clarence Ray remarks on the downside of keeping everything in a chest on board a ship like Cutty Sark: “One time we were lashed on the Poop for a day and 2 nights; when daylight came the 2nd day she looked a perfect wreck on deck. The cabin was washed out, our cuddy door was burst open (we saw this in the night, but no one dare go on the main deck to shut it) all the lower bunks were washed out. Mine being a top one did not suffer much, but all the things in my chest were more or less wet.”