All 11 moments, explained
1. A sailor's day
This sailor is hauling on a rope. Sailors worked in teams called watches, taking turns day and night.
Fun fact A day at sea was split into watches of about four hours, and a bell was rung every half hour.
2. Working aloft
Sailors climbed high up the masts and stood on ropes under the yards to open or roll up the sails.
Fun fact The best climbers were often the youngest sailors, called topmen.
3. Night watch
At night, part of the crew stayed awake to steer the ship, watch the sails and look out for danger.
Fun fact The compass was lit by a small lantern so the helmsman could read it in the dark.
4. Mealtime
Sailors ate together in small groups called messes, at tables set up between the cannons.
Fun fact Each mess took turns sending one sailor to fetch the food from the galley.
5. Food on board
Sailors ate ship's biscuit, salted beef and pork, dried peas, oatmeal, cheese and butter.
Fun fact Ship's biscuit, also called hardtack, was baked so hard and dry that it could last for months.
6. Officers' meal
The officers ate together in a cabin at the back of the ship, with plates, glasses and a tablecloth.
Fun fact Officers often brought their own extra food on board, such as live chickens and fresh fruit.
7. Sleeping
Sailors slept in hammocks hung from the beams, packed close together. Half the crew slept while the other half worked.
Fun fact Each sailor's hammock had only a small space, about as wide as a school notebook is long.
8. Washing and mending
Sailors washed their clothes in tubs of water and sewed up every tear themselves, with a needle and thread.
Fun fact Washing was often done with sea water, because fresh water was kept for drinking.
9. Free time
In their free time, sailors played music, sang, told stories, carved small objects and made things from rope.
Fun fact Sailors sang work songs called shanties to pull ropes together in time.
10. Stores
Down below, barrels held drinking water, food and everything the crew needed for a long voyage.
Fun fact Barrels were made by a craftsman called a cooper, who also sailed with the ship.
11. Everyone at work
See the whole crew at once: sailors in the rigging, cooks, carpenters, officers and boys carrying supplies.
Fun fact Every person on board had a job, from the captain down to the youngest boy.
