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.
Approved on March 3, 1801 by John Adams during his final day as President, the Naval Peace Establishment Act (Chapter 20, 2 Stat. 110), "An Act providing for a Naval peace establishment, and for other purposes." in part modified the Sailor's 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. |