Regulations and Instructions for the Cook

"Cook" (Repro ID: PW5940) from the collections of the Royal Museums Greenwich - National Maritime Museum 

For the Cook.

Article one.

No person is to be rated as Cook who is not appointed by a warrant from the Commissioners of the Navy, to entitle him to which he must be a Pensioner of the Chest at Greenwich.

II.

The cook is to have a charge of the steep-tub, and the meat put into it, and he is to be held responsible for any part of it which shall be lost through his want of care.

III.

He is to see that the steep-tub is at all times well secured, and he is to be particular in examining it when there is an appearance of blowing weather; but if, notwithstanding his attention, it should be washed away, or lost by any accident which he could not prevent, he is to obtain from the Captain a certificate of the manner in which it was lost, and is to make oath to the number of pieces of meat that were lost in it, but they may be allowed to the Purser in his accounts.

IV.

He is to see that the salt meat properly watered, and that all provisions are very carefully and cleanly boiled; and that they are served out to the men according to the established practice of the Navy.

V.

When fresh meat is served, he is to be attentive and seeing the greens, and all other vegetables that are to be boiled with it, very carefully washed before they are put into the coppers; and when he serves on soup or burgou, he is strictly charged to do it without any partiality, giving to every man, as nearly as possible, in equal quantity.

VI.

He is not, on any account, to give the skimmings of the coppers in which salt meat has been boiled to the men, either to mix with their puddings, or to use in any other manner, as scarcely any thing more unwholesome, or more likely to produce the scurvy, can be eaten.

VII.

He is to clean the Coppers as soon as possible after the provisions are taken out of them; and he is to examine them very carefully every morning before any provisions are put into them, and to inform the Mate of the watch when he has done so, who is himself to examine them, and report their condition to Lieutenant of the watch.

VIII.

He is to be very careful of the fuel, never using more than is really necessary under the coppers, nor allowing more fire than is wanted to be made in the range.

Regulations and Instructions for the the Carpenter

A sailor converses with a carpenter dressed in typical fashion, petticoat breeches & thrumb cap. Published by Walker & Miller January 1807. National Maritime Museum Greenwich

For the Carpenter.
I.

When any one of his majesty’s ships is ordered to be commissioned, the Carpenter is to inspect very minutely into the state of the masts and yards, as well those which may be in store in the Dock Yard, as those on board, to ensure there being perfectly sound and in good order.  He is also to examine every part of the hull, the magazine, store rooms and cabins; and he is to report to the Master Shipwright at the Port any defect which he may discover in any of them.

II

He is to make every possible exertion in getting his Stores on board, and he is to be very particular in observing that they are all perfectly good, and that he receives the full allowance of every article.

III

When the ship is at sea, he is,once at least every day to examine into the state of the masts and yards, and to report to the Officer of the watch when he discovers any of them being sprung, or to be in any way defective.

IV

In ships of two decks he is frequently to examine the lower deck-ports, to see that they are properly lined; and when they are barred in, he and his Mates are frequently to see that they are all properly secured.

V  

He is to be particularly careful in keeping the pumps in good order, always having at hand whatever may be necessary to repair them.

VI

He is to keep the Boats, ladders, and gratings in as good condition as possible, always repairing every damage they may sustain as soon as he discovers it, that when the ship shall return to Port, the workmen of the Dock Yard may have only the material defects of the Ship to repair.

VII

He is to be attentive to the conduct of the Caulker, whom he is to employ in stopping immediately any leaks which he may discover in the sides or decks, that as little as possible may be required of the Caulkers of the Dock Yard when Ships return into Port.

VIII

He is to be attentive in observing that the oakum with which he supplies the Caulker is of a good quality and that the Caulker does his duty in a workmanlike manner; and when the ship is paid off, or at any time, when the ship’s company are paid, he is to give him such a certificate of the manner in which he has discharged his duty, as he shall think he deserves; but no better.

IX

He is to keep always ready for immediate use shot-plugs, and every other article necessary for the stopping of shot-holes, and repairing other damages in battle; and during the action he is, with the part of his crew appointed to assist him, to be continually going about the wings and passages, and the hold, to discover where shot may have passed through, that he may plug up the holes and stop the leaks as expeditiously as possible.

X

If he should at any time find Stores or any other articles stowed in the wings or passages, in such a manner as might interfere with his working if required to cut out shot or to stop leaks during an action, he is to report it to the Captain that they may be removed.

XI

He is to frequently to examine the ventilators, to see that they are in good order, and if he discovers any defect he is to report it immediately that it may be repaired.

XII

When the ship is going into Port, he is to prepare as correct an account as possible of the defects of the hull, masts, and yards of the Ship, and of the repairs she may stand in need, of which he is to deliver to the Captain two copies, one of which, when signed by the Captain, he is to deliver to the Master Shipwright of the Dock Yard.  In making this report he is to be very careful not to exaggerate any defect, by which there may appear to be a greater necessity for the Ship being repaired then does really exist, nor to conceal any which may really require to be repaired.

XIII

He is to be a particularly attentive in observing the exertions, and examining the works, of Artificers sent from other Ships to assist in repairing the Ship he belongs to; and is to report to the Captain when he discovers any who, by their want of skill, or want of diligence, shall appear to be undeserving of the additional wages appointed to be paid them.

XIV

Whenever the ship shall be, for any purpose, ordered to be heel'd, he is to see that all the pumps are in good order and ready to be worked; he is to station one of his mates to observe, by sounding the well, whether any material increase of water is occasioned; he is to attend to this frequently himself, and observe also whether there be any extraordinary appearance of water in the hold; and in three-deck'd Ships he is to be peculiar attentive and seeing that the lower deck ports are well secured.

Admiralty

1808     Regulations and Instructions Relating to His Majesty's Service at Sea. Winchester & Son. Strand, London.