THE SHIPS AND MEN OF NELSON’S NAVY
It was during the 17th Century that European warships were first classified by size and type and in England’s fighting navy these divisions were known as rates. There was some confusion in the early years, but this was largely resolved in the middle of the 18th Century when the Admiralty ordered that the rates were to be defined according to the number of guns. There were six such rates, vessels of the first three being classed as ships of the line-ships, that is, which were assigned to a regular formation in the fighting of big, pitched, sea tables. The lower rates were by no means precluded from taking part in these major engagements, but they formed no part of the line of battle on which was firmly established by Admiralty decree. The smallest of the lower rates were used, often singly, but sometimes in squadrons for convoy escorts and for wide- ranging cruises in search of intelligence as to the whereabouts of the enemy fleets.
In the days of Nelson, division of rates was as follows,
The first rate: a mighty three-decker mounting at least I 00 guns, 200 feet in length on the gun deck, and having a crew of 850 men. These great ships were always few in numbers and always flew the flag of an admiral.
The second rate: a big three-decker of no fewer than 90 guns, around 175 feet on the gun deck, with a crew of 750 men.
The third rate: a sort of mongrel rate. Some had three full decks and were only slightly smaller than ships of the second rate, but others had only two decks. They were ships of between 60 and 80 guns, their crews numbering between 650 and 420. The most popular of this class were the 74-gun ships, which made up the bulk of Nelson’s fleet at Trafalgar.
The fourth rate: a ship of fewer than 60 guns, usually carried on two full decks, 24 on the 144-foot gun deck, and remainder on the upper deck. They carried a crew of around 350.
The fifth rate: no more than two decks, about 130 feet on the gun deck, and crewed by a complement of some 260. Normally of 40 guns.
The sixth rate: a small two-decker of 24 guns, all of which were mounted on the one and only gun deck.
All ships mounted guns varying from the 32-pounder to as small as the six- pounder. The large first rates usually carried 32-pounders on the lower deck, 24- pounders on the middle deck, and 12- or 18-pounders on the upper deck.
When the ship was put into commission, the captain was assigned to nothing but the hull. It became his responsibility to rig the ship with all the masts, yards and the many lines required.
You can see from the size of these ships and with the large crews, living conditions were rather crowded. The large crews were necessary because of the numbers needed to serve the guns. Of course, the larger guns required larger crews, but the average for all guns was about 10 men per gun. In most cases, only the guns on one side of the ship were in use at any time, therefore the crews from the port side would assist the crews on the starboard side and vice versa. With the normal losses caused by sickness and injuries, the ships were short- handed much of the time. HMS Victory at Trafalgar had a crew of about 705 out of an authorized crew of 841.
The living conditions for the crew were extremely harsh. The captain had quite plush quarters, and the other officers had some privacy. The crew hung their hammocks on the main gun deck and regulations allowed each man 14 inches in width for his hammock. However, since one half of the men were on watch any time, this space was increased to 28 inches. The food was unappetizing for the most part, consisting of hardtack, salt pork and beef. When the ship was in port and for a short time after sailing, fresh food was available. Sheep, swine and chickens were carried for a short time after leaving port. The highlight of the crews’ day was at the noon and evening meals. Each man was allowed one pint of grog, a mixture of one part rum and two parts water. Until the late 18th Century there was a serious problem of scurvy among the crews on long voyages. This was the result of no fresh food. The British navy found that citrus juice would prevent scurvy, hence they carried barrels of lime juice, which was added to the grog. This is the origin of the term, “Iimey.”
The headroom on all of the lower decks was very low. About five feet was allowed on the gun decks, just enough for the gun crews to serve the guns. In reading the descriptions of the naval battles of the day, one is led to believe that the conditions in these close quarters in battle must have been as close to hell as one could imagine. The iron balls from the guns tearing through the sides of the wooden ships created horrible splinters, and in many cases sand had to be spread on the decks because the blood made footing difficult.
Discipline was very strict. The captain of a British man of war was virtually God. He could order floggings for the slightest infraction. Mutiny, desertion and homosexuality were punished by hanging. Some captains were harsher than others were. Lord Nelson was known as a fair captain and he was popular with his men. Others, such as the legendary Captain Bligh, were extremely strict.
The navy of Nelson’s time secured its crews by a variety of methods. The more popular captains attracted volunteers, especially if there was a chance of capturing prizes. Any ship that was captured by the navy was sold and the money was divided among the crews of the British ships involved in the action.
Of course the share for the ordinary sailor was very small, but some of the captains became extremely wealthy from prize money. One of the least popular means of acquiring crews was the system of impressments. A detail of men under an officer would circulate through a port and any man who looked like a sailor would be taken. Many times any healthy-appearing man would be taken. These men would be taken from their homes and families and sent to sea for several years in many cases. When the ships were in port for supplies and repair, anchor was dropped far enough from the shore so that men could not swim for it. They were not allowed shore leave, needless to say. In some cases, press gains would board merchant ships just in from a long voyage and take sailors without being allowed to go ashore. One of the main reasons for the war with the U.S. in 1812 was the practice of stopping American ships and taking crewmen away.
The Battle of Trafalgar was the last great fleet battle fought in the 19th century. There were numerous ship-to-ship battles but Nelson’s victory did away with England’s naval competition. During those years the British Navy reached the peak of power and Britannia ruled the waves for a hundred years.
References Durant, Will, The Story of Civilization XI: The Age of Nelson; Hibber, Christopher, Nelson, a Personal History; Lavery, Brian, Nelson’s Navy; Schorn, Alan, Trafalgar, Countdown to Battle; and, Terraine, John, Trafalgar