Stories with Tag naval history

• Beer on Board in the Age of Sail (2017)

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  Posted: 2025-04-23 06:42:31

  Verbose tl;dr

  In the Age of Sail, beer was a crucial provision aboard ships, offering a safe and nutritious alternative to potentially contaminated water. Brewed with a high alcohol content and hopped for preservation, it could last for months at sea, preventing scurvy and providing vital calories. While officers often enjoyed wine and spirits, beer was the everyday beverage for sailors, issued in daily rations and contributing significantly to morale. Records from the USS Constitution illustrate the logistics and importance of beer in naval operations, showing how large quantities were purchased, stored, and distributed to the crew. The practice eventually declined with improvements in water purification and the rise of temperance movements.

  This 2017 blog post from the Smithsonian Libraries, titled "Beer on Board in the Age of Sail," delves into the crucial role of beer as a provision and a source of hydration for sailors during the long voyages of the 18th and 19th centuries. The article meticulously elucidates how beer, a relatively safe beverage compared to the frequently contaminated water sources of the time, served as a daily staple for mariners. It emphasizes the significant quantities of beer carried aboard ships, often exceeding the provisions of water, underscoring its paramount importance to the health and morale of the crew.

  The piece describes the brewing process employed at sea, which, due to practical limitations, was often forsaken in favor of pre-brewed beer loaded before departure. It highlights the challenges of preserving large quantities of beer during extended voyages, including spoilage due to heat and rough seas. The specific types of beer favored by the British Navy are explored, including "small beer," a weaker brew consumed regularly, and stronger varieties reserved for special occasions or officers. The post explains that small beer's lower alcohol content made it a safer and more hydrating option for daily consumption, contributing to the prevention of scurvy, although the understanding of vitamin deficiencies at the time was limited.

  Furthermore, the article discusses the social and cultural significance of beer within the maritime community. It elucidates how beer rations served as a crucial component of sailors' daily routines, offering a source of comfort and camaraderie amidst the arduous conditions of seafaring life. The post also touches upon the economic aspects of beer production and distribution, highlighting its importance to the brewing industry and the victualling of naval vessels. The author uses historical documents, including ship logs and personal accounts, to provide a richly detailed account of the logistical challenges and cultural implications of providing beer for sailors in the age of sail. The post concludes by emphasizing beer’s vital role, not simply as a beverage, but as a cornerstone of maritime life during this historical period, impacting sailors' health, morale, and the very operation of naval expeditions.

  • beer
  • age of sail
  • naval history
  • maritime history
  • royal navy
  • british navy
  • alcohol
  • rations
  • ships
  • 18th Century
  • 17th century
  • History
  • beverages
  • naval rations
  • sea shanties
  • nautical
  • preservation
  • wood
  • water
  • scurvy

  Summary of Comments ( 0 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43769289

  Verbose tl;dr

  Commenters on Hacker News largely discuss the historical accuracy and practicality of beer as a staple drink on sailing vessels. Several point out the importance of beer as a safe beverage alternative to potentially contaminated water, emphasizing its role in preventing scurvy via its small vitamin C content (though not enough for full prevention) and its boiling process which killed harmful bacteria. Some commenters debate the alcoholic content of these historical beers, suggesting they were likely "small beer" with a lower ABV, making them more hydrating than modern-day equivalents. Others discuss the logistics of storage and preservation, such as the use of tightly sealed barrels to prevent spoilage. A few comments also touch upon the cultural significance of beer rations and their importance for morale amongst sailors.

  The Hacker News post titled "Beer on Board in the Age of Sail (2017)" has a moderate number of comments discussing various aspects of the topic. Several commenters focus on the historical context of beer as a safe beverage compared to water during the age of sail, elaborating on how water storage methods of the time often led to contamination. They explain that the brewing process made beer a safer alternative, preventing illness and contributing to the health of sailors on long voyages.

  Some comments delve into the specific types of beer consumed by sailors, mentioning "small beer," a lower-alcohol brew, and its importance for hydration and morale. They discuss the role of the purser in managing the ship's beer supply and the potential consequences of running out. One commenter highlights the British Navy's tradition of providing a daily beer ration, emphasizing its significance in maintaining discipline and preventing mutiny.

  Another thread of discussion centers on the challenges of brewing beer at sea, touching upon the difficulties of storing ingredients and the potential for spoilage in the ship's hold. A few comments explore the historical accounts of sailors' resourcefulness in preserving and rationing their beer supplies, painting a picture of life at sea during that era.

  Furthermore, the comments touch upon the cultural and social aspects of beer consumption within the naval context. One comment mentions the link between beer rations and the work sailors performed, emphasizing the role of alcohol as a form of payment or reward. Others mention "grog," a mixture of rum and water, and its eventual replacement of beer in the Royal Navy. A commenter also contrasts the prevalence of beer in the British Navy with the preference for wine in other navies, such as the French.

  Finally, some comments offer additional information and resources related to the topic, including links to other articles and books on maritime history. Overall, the comments provide a rich and insightful discussion of the role of beer in the age of sail, expanding upon the details mentioned in the original blog post.

• Pirates and Privateers – Superstitions and the Sea (2007)

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  Posted: 2025-02-06 09:49:36

  Verbose tl;dr

  Sailors, including pirates and privateers, were highly superstitious due to the unpredictable and dangerous nature of the sea. They believed in a variety of omens and rituals to appease the sea and ensure good fortune. These included avoiding whistling aboard ship (believed to summon storms), respecting certain creatures like dolphins and albatrosses, and performing specific actions on certain days, such as not sailing on a Friday. Many superstitions arose from practical concerns, like the prohibition against red clothing due to its similarity to the color of blood, which could demoralize the crew. These beliefs and practices, while seemingly irrational, provided a sense of control and order in a chaotic environment.

  Cindy Vallar's 2007 blog post, "Pirates and Privateers – Superstitions and the Sea," delves into the rich tapestry of maritime superstitions prevalent during the Golden Age of Piracy, exploring the beliefs and practices that both shaped and reflected the lives of seafaring individuals, particularly those engaged in piracy and privateering. Vallar meticulously illustrates how these superstitions, often rooted in ancient folklore and practical observations of the unpredictable ocean environment, permeated virtually every aspect of a sailor's existence.

  The article commences by establishing the inherent dangers and uncertainties of life at sea, highlighting how the constant threat of storms, shipwrecks, disease, and violent encounters fostered a climate of anxiety and superstition among sailors. This environment, where life and death often hung precariously in the balance, naturally led seafarers to seek methods, however irrational, to control their fate and appease the seemingly capricious forces of nature. Vallar then proceeds to catalogue a fascinating array of specific superstitions, meticulously explaining their origins and the rituals associated with them.

  Among these superstitions, Vallar discusses the ill-omen associated with whistling aboard a ship, believed to summon unfavorable winds, and the taboo of cutting one's hair or nails at sea, linked to bad luck. She also explores the belief in the protective power of carrying a lucky coin or charm, a tangible representation of hope in a world dominated by chance. The significance of certain animals, such as albatrosses and dolphins, is also examined, with some considered harbingers of good fortune while others portended disaster.

  Furthermore, the post delves into the intriguing practices surrounding death and burial at sea, revealing the solemn rituals observed by sailors to appease the spirits of the departed and ensure safe passage for the living. Vallar elaborates on the superstitions related to women aboard ships, often seen as a source of misfortune, likely stemming from practical concerns about distractions and potential conflicts in the close quarters of a vessel.

  The role of Fridays, especially Friday the 13th, as a day of ill-omen is also examined, highlighting the deep-seated fear associated with this particular day. Vallar also explores the belief in mythical creatures of the sea, such as mermaids and sirens, and their purported influence on sailors' fortunes. The discussion extends to the superstitions surrounding specific actions, like embarking on a voyage on a certain day of the week or starting a voyage with an empty wallet, emphasizing the meticulous attention paid to even seemingly trivial details in an attempt to ensure a successful journey.

  Throughout the post, Vallar carefully distinguishes between the superstitions adhered to by common sailors and those specifically attributed to pirates and privateers, acknowledging that while there was considerable overlap, certain beliefs were more prominent within these specific groups. In concluding, Vallar emphasizes that these superstitions, though seemingly irrational to modern sensibilities, provide a valuable window into the mindset and worldview of sailors during the Golden Age of Piracy, offering a deeper understanding of their fears, hopes, and the challenges they faced in navigating the perilous world of the sea. The post effectively demonstrates how these seemingly fantastical beliefs served a practical purpose, providing a sense of control and order in an environment characterized by uncertainty and peril.

  • pirates
  • privateers
  • superstitions
  • maritime history
  • nautical folklore
  • sea shanties
  • naval history
  • sailing
  • age of sail
  • 2007
  • cindy vallar

  Summary of Comments ( 0 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42960772

  Verbose tl;dr

  HN users discuss the practicality of some of the superstitions mentioned in the article, like avoiding whistling at sea (could be mistaken for piped orders) and not setting sail on a Friday (historically a common day for executions, making crews uneasy). Some commenters share additional maritime superstitions, including ones about bananas, redheads, and sharks following a ship. Several recall personal experiences or anecdotes related to seafaring superstitions, highlighting their enduring presence in nautical culture, even if not always taken seriously. The role of superstition in creating a sense of shared experience and camaraderie among sailors is also touched upon.

  The Hacker News post discussing the article "Pirates and Privateers – Superstitions and the Sea" has generated a moderate amount of discussion with a mix of humorous and insightful comments. Several commenters focus on specific superstitions mentioned in the linked article, elaborating on their origins or providing additional context.

  One commenter highlights the superstition regarding bananas on ships, suggesting it stems from poisonous spiders being transported along with the fruit, leading to illness and even death among crew members. They also mention the possibility of bananas emitting ethylene gas, which could spoil other food stored onboard, further contributing to the negative association.

  Another commenter focuses on the "no whistling" superstition, offering two potential explanations. Firstly, they suggest whistling might have been associated with summoning unfavorable winds. Secondly, they propose that whistling could have been seen as interfering with the important auditory cues sailors relied on in the pre-engine era, such as the sounds of the waves and wind.

  A third commenter touches on the "red sky at night, sailor's delight" proverb, providing a meteorological explanation. They explain that a red sky at night often indicates high pressure and stable air to the west, which is the direction from which weather typically travels in mid-latitudes. This implies good weather is approaching. Conversely, a red sky in the morning suggests the high pressure has already passed, and the observer is now facing the unsettled, possibly stormy weather coming from the west.

  Some commenters engage in lighter banter, jokingly linking the "Friday being an unlucky day to sail" superstition to the release schedule of software updates, humorously suggesting that deploying updates on Fridays often leads to problems and sleepless nights.

  In addition to these specific discussions, some users share related anecdotes about superstitions in other professions, such as theater and aviation. This expands the conversation beyond maritime superstitions, exploring the broader theme of superstitions in high-risk occupations.

  While the overall volume of comments is not exceptionally high, the discussion provides interesting perspectives and expansions on the superstitions mentioned in the original article. The comments are a mix of informative explanations, humorous takes, and personal anecdotes, offering a well-rounded view of the topic.