Life on board a ship during the Age of Sail in the 1700s and 1800s was arduous, challenging, and strictly regimented. It required resilience, adaptability, and cooperation. Despite the hardships, sailors developed a strong sense of camaraderie and shared purpose—both essential for surviving and thriving in the demanding environment at sea.
Sailors worked in a watch system (much like today!), typically divided into two groups (watches), with each group taking turns on duty. Commonly, there were four-hour watches, ensuring the ship was always manned.
Duties varied based on rank and role and included navigating, steering, sail handling, maintenance, cleaning, and standing lookout. Specific roles included helmsman, boatswain, carpenter, and cook. Raising, lowering, and adjusting sails were physically demanding tasks that required coordination and strength. Sailors often climbed the rigging to manage sails, regardless of the weather. Living conditions were tough, with sailors sleeping in cramped, communal spaces, often in hammocks hung close together. Privacy was minimal, and the quarters were dark and damp.
Diets were monotonous and consisted of preserved foods for long voyages. Common items included hardtack (a hard biscuit), salted meat, dried peas, and occasionally fresh food if supplies allowed. Water was rationed, and alcohol—particularly rum—was a staple. Hygiene was poor. Freshwater was scarce and usually reserved for drinking, so sailors often went without bathing for extended periods. Lice and rats were common problems. Diseases like scurvy, caused by a vitamin C deficiency, were rampant.
Other common ailments included dysentery and typhus. Injuries from accidents, falls, and battles were frequent. Medical care was rudimentary, often limited to amputations and basic treatments. Storms, high seas, and dangerous weather conditions posed constant threats. Sailors had to be adept at managing the ship under extremely trying circumstances.
Discipline was strict and often harsh. Punishments for disobedience or poor performance included flogging, confinement, and other severe penalties. Morale varied but was often low due to the harsh conditions, long voyages, and strict discipline. Sailors found solace in camaraderie, songs, and storytelling.
The ship's captain held ultimate authority, followed by the officers, midshipmen, and then the enlisted crew. Orders flowed down the chain of command. Each sailor had a specific role—such as navigator, cook, surgeon, or gunner—contributing to the ship's operation and combat readiness.
Communication was limited to verbal orders, whistles, and written logs. Signaling between ships was done using flags, lights, and semaphore. Entertainment was sparse but included singing, playing musical instruments, storytelling, and occasional games. Celebrations and rituals were observed during significant events or holidays.
Sailors worked in a watch system (much like today!), typically divided into two groups (watches), with each group taking turns on duty. Commonly, there were four-hour watches, ensuring the ship was always manned.
Duties varied based on rank and role and included navigating, steering, sail handling, maintenance, cleaning, and standing lookout. Specific roles included helmsman, boatswain, carpenter, and cook. Raising, lowering, and adjusting sails were physically demanding tasks that required coordination and strength. Sailors often climbed the rigging to manage sails, regardless of the weather. Living conditions were tough, with sailors sleeping in cramped, communal spaces, often in hammocks hung close together. Privacy was minimal, and the quarters were dark and damp.
Diets were monotonous and consisted of preserved foods for long voyages. Common items included hardtack (a hard biscuit), salted meat, dried peas, and occasionally fresh food if supplies allowed. Water was rationed, and alcohol—particularly rum—was a staple. Hygiene was poor. Freshwater was scarce and usually reserved for drinking, so sailors often went without bathing for extended periods. Lice and rats were common problems. Diseases like scurvy, caused by a vitamin C deficiency, were rampant.
Other common ailments included dysentery and typhus. Injuries from accidents, falls, and battles were frequent. Medical care was rudimentary, often limited to amputations and basic treatments. Storms, high seas, and dangerous weather conditions posed constant threats. Sailors had to be adept at managing the ship under extremely trying circumstances.
Discipline was strict and often harsh. Punishments for disobedience or poor performance included flogging, confinement, and other severe penalties. Morale varied but was often low due to the harsh conditions, long voyages, and strict discipline. Sailors found solace in camaraderie, songs, and storytelling.
The ship's captain held ultimate authority, followed by the officers, midshipmen, and then the enlisted crew. Orders flowed down the chain of command. Each sailor had a specific role—such as navigator, cook, surgeon, or gunner—contributing to the ship's operation and combat readiness.
Communication was limited to verbal orders, whistles, and written logs. Signaling between ships was done using flags, lights, and semaphore. Entertainment was sparse but included singing, playing musical instruments, storytelling, and occasional games. Celebrations and rituals were observed during significant events or holidays.
As far as passenger ships go, the MV Ocean Nova is relatively small at 73 meters in length. It is, however, considerably larger than most of the vessels used by the early explorers.
The Golden Hind (left), in which Sir Francis Drake discovered the stretch of water now bearing his name, was around one-third the size of the Ocean Nova, while Captain Cook's HMS Resolution (right) was well under half the length.
The Williams, captained by William Smith when he discovered the South Shetland Islands in 1819, was typical of sealing ships of that time.
By the end of the 19th century, vessels were generally larger, though, like Captain C.A. Larsen’s Jason, they were still much smaller than the Ocean Nova.
The ships of the Heroic Age were all very similar in size—little over half the length of the MV Ocean Nova. Adrien de Gerlache’s Belgica (top left), Charcot’s Français (top right), Nordenskjöld’s Antarctic (middle left), and Charcot’s Pourquoi Pas? (middle right) were all from this period, as was Shackleton’s Endurance (below left).
Of course, larger ships have also played a part in Antarctic exploration. The USS Eastwind was one of four identical icebreakers built by the United States for Operation Highjump in the late 1940s. These were approximately 10% longer than the Ocean Nova.
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