Are you hungry?
Look at the list of food below. This is what food was allowed for each passenger for each week.
The proper division and handing out of food was the responsibility of the ship’s surgeon.
The proper division and handing out of food was the responsibility of the ship’s surgeon.
Have a Go
What foods do you recognise?
Important: Refrigeration for freezing foods was not possible on ships until the 1880s. Something else is happening: The quantities of food allowed vary for the different classes ofpassengers – chief cabin, fore-cabin and steerage. |
Conversions:
• 1 lb = 500g = 16oz • 4oz = 125g • 8oz = 250g • 12oz = 375g • ½ pint = 300 ml • 1 pint = 600ml • 28 quarts = 31.8 litres • 24 ½ quarts = 27.8 litres • 21 quarts = 23.8 litres |
Find
Weekly Dietary
- A food which chief cabin passengers are allowed more than steerage passengers.
- A food which steerage passengers are not allowed at all.
- A food which is allowed in equal quantities for all classes of passengers.
Weekly Dietary
Articles
Prime India beef Prime mess pork Preserved meat or fish Biscuit Flour Rice Sago Preserved potatoes, if obtainable; if not rice to be substituted Preserved carrots Peas Oatmeal Raisins Suet Butter Cheese Sugar Tea Coffee Salt Pepper Mustard Vinegar or pickles Water Milk and Fresh Meat see below |
Chief Cabin
1lb 1 ½ lb 1lb 4lbs 4lbs ½ lb ½ lb ¾ lb ½ lb ½ pint - 16 oz 4oz 8oz 8oz 20oz 4oz 4oz 2oz ¼ oz ½ oz ½ pint 28 quarts |
Fore-Cabin
1 ½ lb 1 ½ lb 21/4 lbs 3 1/2lbs 3 ½ lbs ½ lb - ¾ lb ½ lb ½ pint ½ pint 12oz 4oz 8oz - 16oz 4oz 4oz 2oz ¼ oz ½ oz ½ pint 24 ½ quarts |
Steerage
1lb 1½ lbs 1 ½ lbs 5 1/4lbs 1 ¾ lbs ½ lbs - ¾ lb - ½ pint 1 pint 8oz 4oz 8oz - 16oz 4oz 2oz 2oz ¼ oz ½ oz ½ pint 21 quarts |
Look what else made life easier…if you were a chief cabin passenger:
“One Sheep, one Pig, and a dozen head of Poultry, will be put on board, in addition to the above, for each Adult Chief-Cabin Passenger, together with an assortment of Spices, Curry Powder, Salad Oil, Herbs and Celery Seed, Sauces, Preserved Fruits, Tamarinds, Apples when in season, Macaroni, and Dried Yeast for making Bread.
A Milch Cow is put on board for the use of the Chief Cabin, and to such invalids as the Surgeon may direct.
…The several Articles of Diet are varied from time to time, so as to promote the health and comfort of the passengers, especially
of Children. Every article is of the best quality, and examined by the Inspector before Shipment.”
“One Sheep, one Pig, and a dozen head of Poultry, will be put on board, in addition to the above, for each Adult Chief-Cabin Passenger, together with an assortment of Spices, Curry Powder, Salad Oil, Herbs and Celery Seed, Sauces, Preserved Fruits, Tamarinds, Apples when in season, Macaroni, and Dried Yeast for making Bread.
A Milch Cow is put on board for the use of the Chief Cabin, and to such invalids as the Surgeon may direct.
…The several Articles of Diet are varied from time to time, so as to promote the health and comfort of the passengers, especially
of Children. Every article is of the best quality, and examined by the Inspector before Shipment.”
What about alcohol?
“The Commander of the Vessel is allowed to supply to the Chief and Fore-Cabin Passengers, moderate quantities of Port and Sherry Wine at 3s. per Bottle, and of Ale and Porter at 10d. per bottle; but no Spiritous Liquors are permitted to be sold on board, except under the direction of the Surgeon.”
“The Commander of the Vessel is allowed to supply to the Chief and Fore-Cabin Passengers, moderate quantities of Port and Sherry Wine at 3s. per Bottle, and of Ale and Porter at 10d. per bottle; but no Spiritous Liquors are permitted to be sold on board, except under the direction of the Surgeon.”
What children were allowed?
Children of all classes, above the age of one year, receive each one-half of the rations of an Adult; but those of one year old and under seven, receive each a Quarter of a Pint per day of Preserved Milk extra, if directed by the Surgeon, or three Ounces of Sago, in lieu of Salty meat, three times a week. Infants under one year do not receive any rations; but the Surgeon is empowered to direct an Allowance of Water, Flour and Sago, for their use, to be issued to their Mothers…”
Source: Rates of Passage, Weekly Dietary, Memorandum, for Passengers, 28 May 1850, Canterbury Association.
Canterbury Museum Documentary Research Centre
See also >>
Our Journey | What would you take? | Rich and poor | Are you hungry? |Cockroaches & seasickness | A girl’s diary
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Haere Mai, Welcome / Solving History’s Mysteries / Will you join us? / Our Journey / Our New Land / Resources / About this site / Links / Sitemap
- What do you notice about children aged under one year old?
Children of all classes, above the age of one year, receive each one-half of the rations of an Adult; but those of one year old and under seven, receive each a Quarter of a Pint per day of Preserved Milk extra, if directed by the Surgeon, or three Ounces of Sago, in lieu of Salty meat, three times a week. Infants under one year do not receive any rations; but the Surgeon is empowered to direct an Allowance of Water, Flour and Sago, for their use, to be issued to their Mothers…”
Source: Rates of Passage, Weekly Dietary, Memorandum, for Passengers, 28 May 1850, Canterbury Association.
Canterbury Museum Documentary Research Centre
See also >>
Our Journey | What would you take? | Rich and poor | Are you hungry? |Cockroaches & seasickness | A girl’s diary
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Haere Mai, Welcome / Solving History’s Mysteries / Will you join us? / Our Journey / Our New Land / Resources / About this site / Links / Sitemap