Heating, Ventilation and Light aboard a Ship
Three things that we somehow take for granted but could be a problem on board a ship at the time of the sailing ships. Here is a brief overview.
Was not always necessary, because if you consider that even a six rate frigate had 200 men on board and they lived very cramped together, a heater was rather superfluous even in cold regions. And the galley, the ship’s stove also produced a lot of heat btw.
Captain’s quarters - Great Cabin of USS Constitution with a portable oven, photo by Chris Walton
But there were portable stoves, which were mainly used in the officers’ quarters, such as the Great Cabin or the Ward or Gun room. Later, during the early and mid 19th century, during the expeditionary service which was very much concerned with the Arctic regions, they were extremely necessary as these ships did not sail with the high numbers of men that the warships did.
Fresh air was a huge problem below the main deck. Not only was it very warm, due to the galley, but also humid. There was little opportunity to dry clothes and due to the watch system the men often went to bed with their often damp to wet clothes. This ensured that the bedding and clothing were always damp, which encouraged rheumatism and colds. (Hence the assumption that rheumatism is a seafarer’s disease). Warm and damp also made it difficult to breathe, and together with stale, vinegar-soaked air (vinegar was used for disinfection), lung diseases were also common on board.
Middle Gundeck of HMS Victory with open Gunports, which gave a bit of fresh air and light (x)
To get some fresh air, the gunports were opened as soon as possible. The officers who had no windows, as in the gunroom, simply left the doors of their cabins open. On larger ships that had several stern windows, these were opened. But this was only possible in good weather and with little swell. Otherwise, they tried to get fresh air via the bilge pump system. The bilge was flushed and the water that came in had to be pumped out again, which provided a little fresh air. Otherwise it was a case of holding out or, if possible, going on deck.
Natural light was not very common below deck. Only through the gunports could a little light come in. The officers, if they had windows, were more fortunate.
Mess deck (Lower deck) of HMS Trincomalee with the lanterns, photo by Robert J. Smith
Otherwise, candles were used in lanterns or so called storm lamps. But also oil lamps but only in the officers quarters or the great cabin. The light was not very bright, but at least there was a little light. Free candles had to be handled with care as they were a potential fire hazard. But they were used, albeit very carefully and only under supervision.
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