Maritime Archive and Library
London: HMSO,1866 (514.INS/R)
The 1855 Passenger Act laid down minimum standards for rations, space and sanitation on all emigrants' ships. These instructions detail the surgeon's role, which was not merely for the medical care of the emigrants but also:
'the maintenance of discipline among them and consequently the enforcement of regulations for securing cleanness, regularity and good conduct'.
'Appendix No. 6
Dietary Scale (March 1866)
Full rations, according to the following scale, are to be issued during the voyage, and until disembarkation, to each male and female passenger of twelve years of age and upwards, and half rations to children of four years and under twelve years of age. Children between one and four years old will receive half rations, with the substitutions mentions below. The water and all articles of food are to be of the best quality, and in a sweet and good condition when issued for the use of the passengers.
Animal Food, Quantity
- Beef, 16 oz. per week
- Pork , 24oz. per week
- Preserved meat, 16oz. per week
- Suet, 6oz. per week
- Butter, 6oz. per week
Bread Stuffs, Quantity
- Biscuit , 42oz. per week
- Flour, 56oz. per week
- Oatmeal, 16oz. per week
- Peas, 3/4oz. per week
- Rice, 8oz. per week
Preserved Vegetables, Quantity
- Potatoes, 8oz. per week
- Carrots, 8oz. per week
- Onions, 8oz. per week
Groceries, Quantity
- Raisins, 8oz. per week
- Tea, 1oz. per week
- Coffee weight when roasted, 2oz. per week
- Sugar, 12oz. per week
- West India molasses, 8oz. per week
Water* 21qts per week
* the water is as far possible to be distilled water. In the tropics the Surgeon may issue a larger allowance, provided the supply will admit it.
- Mixed pickles - half gill - twice weekly
- Lime juice while within the tropics - three ounces - twice weekly
- Mustard - half and ounce - weekly
- Salt - two ounces - weekly
- Pepper, ground - half an ounce - weekly
Children between one and four years of age are to receive alternatively preserved beef and mutton instead of salt meat very day, also half a pint of preserved milk, and every alternate day, one egg or two teaspoonfuls of condensed egg. Children under one year old are to be allowed 5 pints...'
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