Feeding the Empire

Question 1

Feeding the Crew

Answer 1

Each sailor avg 3000-4000 kcal and lemon to prevent scurvy.
High protein diet.
Soldiers well fed, hardly ill.
British were well supplied and had consistent supply lines from Portugal, England and North Africa.

Question 2

Resupplying

Answer 2

Winds pushed ships against coast, had to anchor down until winds changed direction.
Could take weeks where chefs fed crews on old rations.
Not always consistent with timings on distributions across empire.

Question 3

Victualing Board

Answer 3

In charge of supplying Navy.
1793, Britain could grow enough wheat so imported large quantities of grain from N. Europe.
1801, planned transportation + delivery of 83k tonnes of bread/biscuit from West Indies.
Contractors based in London hired to supply food for navy. Profited on % basis.
Contracted merchants, Sir Charles Flower.
Lead merchants, Thomas Pinkerton.

Question 4

Contracted Merchant

Answer 4

Supplied specific commodities for a specific period of time with a 6 month terminating notice.

Question 5

Lead Merchant

Answer 5

Merchant would take the hit if the ships had to go on an emergency expedition

Question 6

Effect on British People