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’.
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.
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.
