After being at sea for two or three days, Mr. Nolein, the purser, came
round and arranged the ’tween deck passengers into messes, giving to
each mess a card with the names of the parties forming it and also
its number. On the other side of the card is a printed list of the
provisions for each adult per week.
In the second cabin ’tween decks each mess consists of 24 adults; in
the enclosed intermediate 12; and in the open 10.
The first cabin is provided with three stewards and a stewardess, who
attend on the passengers exclusively; and they are supplied with fresh
provisions daily.
The second cabin on deck has two stewards. In both cabins passengers
have nothing to provide but bed, bedding and napery.
In the second cabin ’tween decks each mess is provided with a steward.
Passengers in this part of the ship only provide bed, bedding, napery
and a small cask or tin bottle to hold their daily supply of fresh
water.
In the intermediate no attendance is provided.
_Messmen._—Each mess elects two of its number to act as messmen for one
week. The messmen go to the purser to receive the provisions allowed
it for the week. The day appointed on the _Eagle_ for this purpose
was Friday. They have also to go every day and receive the water; and
divide it out to each individual if required. They have also to make
puddings for the mess three times a week, as well as oatmeal cakes,
loaf bread, etc.
In the intermediate each mess has to provide bags or dishes wherein to
keep the provisions for the week; and also a dish to bring their tea,
coffee, beef, soup, etc., from the cook, as the company provide no
utensils for this part of the ship.
_Water._—Fresh water is served out by the third mate to every messman
once a day. Each adult is allowed three pints per day and the same
allowance is given to the cook for the tea, coffee, soup, etc., for
each person on board.
_Hours._—The hour appointed for passengers going to bed is 10 p.m. When
the bell strikes the purser comes round and sees that all lights are
put out except those allowed to burn all night. Parties not going to
bed at that hour must either go on deck or remain below in darkness,
and they are not allowed to make any noise that would disturb those in
bed.
Each passenger is expected to turn out of bed at 6 a.m. The doctor
generally comes round in the morning to see that all are up, more
especially in the hot weather.
_Provisions._—Provisions are served out to each mess by the purser in
rotation. He commences with the messes in the second cabin. He first
serves out tea, coffee and sugar to mess No. 4, and goes over the whole
messes by rotation with the same articles. The flour, oatmeal and
rice are then served out in the same order and so on with the other
articles until he has given out all the provisions. He then serves the
intermediate, following the same order as the second cabin.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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