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Navy and Marine Corps Rations 1801

1801 Navy and Marine Corps Ration Chart

Beyond the United States' military Seafarer's basic pay, one would also receive a daily ration as part of their compensation. Navy rations in 1801 included items like bread, molasses, rice, cheese, meat, and, yes, spirits. The ration received depended on what day of the week it was, and the number of rations one received would be determined by the Member's position.

The entire ship's enlisted crew and midshipmen received a single daily ration, and the officer's mess two rations with the exception of the Captain who received six, and Lieutenants who received three.

A daily ration as prescribed in "An Act providing for a Naval peace establishment, and for other purposes.":

The Daily Ration
Day of Week The Rations
Sunday 14 ounces of bread; 1¼ pound of beef; ½ pound of flour; ¼ pound of suet; and ½ pint of distilled spirits.
Monday 14 ounces of bread; 1 pound of pork; ½ pint of pease; and ½ pint of distilled spirits.
Tuesday 14 ounces of bread; 1 pound of beef; 2 ounces of cheese; and ½ pint of distilled spirits.
Wednesday 14 ounces of bread; 1 pound of pork; ½ pint of rice; and ½ pint of distilled spirits.
Thursday 14 ounces bread; 1¼ pound of beef; ½ pound of flour; ¼ pound of suet; and ½ pint of distilled spirits.
Friday 14 ounces of bread; 4 ounces of cheese; 2 ounces of butter; ½ pint of rice; ½ pint of molasses; and ½ pint of distilled spirits.
Saturday 14 ounces of bread; 1 pound of pork; ½ pint of pease; ½ pint of vinegar; and ½ pint of distilled spirits.

Information contained on this page has been derived from the text of "An Act providing for a Naval peace establishment, and for other purposes.", approved March 3, 1801.

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