1794 Navy and Marine Corps Ration Chart
Beyond the United States' military Seafarer's basic pay, one would also receive a daily ration as part of their compensation. Navy rations in 1794 included items like bread, rice, cheese, meat, and, yes, spirits. The ration received depended on what day of the week it was, and the number of rations one received would be determined by the Member's position.
The entire ship's enlisted crew and midshipmen received a single daily ration, and the officer's mess two rations with the exception of the Captain who received six, and Lieutenants who received three.
A daily ration as prescribed in the Naval Act of 1794 (the "Act to provide a Naval Armament"):
| Day of Week | The Rations |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 1 pound of bread; 1½ pounds of beef; ½ pint of rice; and ½ pint of distilled spirits*. |
| Monday | 1 pound of bread; 1 pound of pork; ½ pint of peas or beans; 4 ounces of cheese; and ½ pint of distilled spirits*. |
| Tuesday | 1 pound of bread; 1½ pounds of beef; 1 pound of potatoes or turnips; pudding; and ½ pint of distilled spirits*. |
| Wednesday | 1 pound of bread; 2 ounces of butter, or in lieu thereof, 6 ounces of molasses; 4 ounces of cheese; ½ pint of rice; and ½ pint of distilled spirits*. |
| Thursday | 1 pound of bread, 1 pound of pork; ½ pint of peas or beans; and ½ pint of distilled spirits*. |
| Friday | 1 pound of bread; 1 pound of salt fish; 2 ounces of butter or one gill (¼ pint) of oil; and ½ pint of distilled spirits*. |
| Saturday | 1 pound of bread; 1 pound of pork; ½ pint peas or beans; 4 ounces of cheese; and ½ pint of distilled spirits*. |
*The distilled spirit ration of ½ pint could be filled with 1 quart of beer if available.
The ration received by the members of the Navy and Marine Corps were reduced in 1801 as a result of the establishment of the peace time Navy.
