laundry aboard ship - early 19th century

[leyosura]

I am writing an AU set at the turn of the 19th century during the Napoleonic Wars. Part of the story concerns a journey on a British warship

Comments

[merle_p]

This might be helpful:

"He will describe how early ships were dirty and congested and sailors
indulged in practices such as washing their clothes in urine because it was known to
dissolve grease. This had all began to change by the 19th Century, and what
had once been luxuries in the Wardroom of H.M.S. Victory, had become standard
items of health and hygiene to the sailors on the gun decks of H.M.S. Warrior
after 1860.

Warrior, when she was launched in 1860, even had hot baths for the off-duty
stokers to scrub down, and a ship's laundry, with hand-turned washing machines,
and drying areas by the hot funnel shafts. Health and hygiene provision had
changed beyond recognition in the Royal Navy in 70 years"

http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/GERMAN-BOHEMIAN/2006-03/1142035963

[merle_p]

Oh, and this is the full lecture the aforementioned citation refers to:

http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/health-on-the-ocean-waves-the-sea-doctor-afloat-and-in-port

[leyosura]

I'm not sure whether the conditions of 1860 would be strictly relevant, as such a lot would have changed since the turn of the century. But thanks for the link to the article, I'll give it a read. :-)

[rosinarowantree]

Every officer had an officer servant, who would be responsible to his uniform and other clothes, keeping weapons ready, and making toasted cheese.

Killick served Jack Aubrey, and Stephen had Padraig at times, but most of the officers would have had one from the crew, a trifle more domestic perhaps. The servant's other duty was to stand behind the officer's chair at dinner.

Watch Master and Commander.

[leyosura]

I've read several of the Partrick O'Brian novels, I just couldn't recall any specific references to laundry duties - maybe I need to read them again. Thanks for your help.

[rosinarowantree]

There's something about washing day for the men - stuff hanging on lines around the deck, I'm sure. I can't remember if it is actually mentioned that Killick does the laundry for Jack - only a vague memory of Jack telling Stephen to give something to Killick to wash ... a bloody shirt. But to me it makes sense that a captain's/officer's servant would do it.

[julian_griffith]

Killick looks after Jack's clothes, and also Stephen's, and he is the fussbudget of the world. He complained bitterly about not being able to get the grease spots out of Jack's coat when he'd dragged the sleeve in his dinner, and Stephen tried to hide one of his shirts from him, because, fresh water being in limited supply, Killick was washing things in salt water, and a clean shirt would also be stiff and scratchy, where his grubby one was worn soft. Killick also sewed on buttons (and thought very little of women's ability to do so securely) and tried to repair Jack's hat from the depredations of a wombat

[dorsetgirl]

I'm sorry I can't answer your question directly, but salt water can be used for washing bodies, clothes and decks. I imagine the officers would manage to get their clothes at least a final rinse in fresh water. You might find the notes below useful - they are from some research I did on convict voyages in the 1830s

[leyosura]

These are interesting accounts. I know that during the C18th and C19th they were beginning to make the connection between hygiene and health, so this makes a lot of sense. Thanks.

[eglantine_br]

Salt water is not ideal for washing, as it means soap will not work very well. I know that fresh water was precious and probably not used to wash clothes much.

Check out Following Sea (Hornblower fans,) or Perfect Duet (Aubrey fans) either place will have someone who knows all.

[leyosura]

I seem to remember that William Golding's Rites of Passage refers to a type of soap that can be used in salt water, so it would seem to be feasible.

[lilacsigil]

Salt water isn't great for scrubbing but it is great for bleaching and getting those whites white!