Resource: the secret diary of a midshipman
In 1820, Captain Frederick Marryat (author of "Mr. Midshipman Easy"), made a series of drawings about his life as a midshipman. His "career" as a middie started in 1806, so we can assume that these drawings describe events between 1806 and 1812.
They are definitely not "high art", but that's exactly the charming thing about them - they are honest and straightforward, without the pathos and glorification of the paintings in the National Gallery or the Maritime Museum. They show how Marryat saw the world as a middie, and while he certainly exaggerated or satirised some bits and pieces, I think we can take these drawings as a rather realistic look on the life of a midshipman in the very early 19th century. :-)
( THAR SHALL BE MIDDIES - image heavy, owners of 56kb modems beware! )
Hope you liked them! :-)
They are definitely not "high art", but that's exactly the charming thing about them - they are honest and straightforward, without the pathos and glorification of the paintings in the National Gallery or the Maritime Museum. They show how Marryat saw the world as a middie, and while he certainly exaggerated or satirised some bits and pieces, I think we can take these drawings as a rather realistic look on the life of a midshipman in the very early 19th century. :-)
( THAR SHALL BE MIDDIES - image heavy, owners of 56kb modems beware! )
Hope you liked them! :-)