What Was It Like to Be a Sailor in the Early 1900s?

A sailor's life in the early 1900s was not always simple. Sailors of the Royal Navy, in particular, had their work cut out for them. The British Navy was involved in a war with France. Napoleon Bonaparte had a desire of spreading French hegemony throughout Europe, and in order to do so, he needed to dominate the oceans. The only thing standing in Napoleon's way was the Royal Navy. The French navy was considerably depleted following the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

Sailors worked in groups to do various jobs. Each crew member was assigned a specific task. A boatswain was in charge of the rigging and sails, while a carpenter was in charge of the wood and ropes. The master was in responsibility of navigating, but this was frequently delegated to a boatswain.

A sailor's life in this era included many difficult and hazardous jobs. There was always the possibility that a ship would be destroyed or sunk. Sailors had to be on high alert at all times to protect the ship against harm such as storms or gunfire.

Aside from working under hazardous conditions, sailors were frequently exposed to physical assault. This condition caused colorful patches on their bodies as well as swollen legs. Some people developed fevers and were unable to walk. Many people experienced long periods of seclusion from friends and relatives. They may also have to deal with a food shortage. All of this would be taxing on their bodies.

During the Great Age of Sail, America's West Coast ports were known for double-dealing crimps, yet many of them needed sailors. They required personnel to man ships, which was critical to winning the battles.

A sailor's life in the early 1900s was extremely challenging. Slavery, a lack of income, and inadequate living standards meant sailors lived in poverty and discrimination. Fortunately, a few improvements were made to make life a little easier for sailors. Sailors faced the threat of being shanghaied during the early decades of the century.

The National Historic Ships UK and the National Small Boat Register are both housed at the National Maritime Museum of Cornwall. These organizations are responsible for the preservation of ships constructed between 1860 and 1913. Fortunately, the generosity of several donors has made this collection feasible. A trip to the museum will give you an insight into the life of a sailor in the early 1900s. There are several relics and historical records that will captivate visitors.

Scurvy was also a problem for sailors. To avoid this, they took on numerous jobs. Their responsibilities included looking after other sailors and enduring the cold. Citrus fruit and strong cider were popular dishes with the added benefit of preventing scurvy.