Barrels

[ross]

Another question i need info on,Can anybody tell me where and how barrels would be placed and tied down on deck.many thanks Ross.

[russ]

This will differ depending on time period and what kind of ship.

 

Russ

[ross]

Thanks for the reply Russ,HMS bounty, not shure if any barrels would be kept on deck,but am in the process of making someand thought they would be a good adition to the deck detail,any info appreciated.Ross.

[druxey]

The only barrel that might be on deck would be a water barrel: a butt. That's where gossip occurred (think the office water-cooler!); hence the origin of the expression 'scuttle-butt'.

[Patrick Haw]

Hi Ross,

 

Generally all barrels for water, beer, food, etc., would be stored in the hold and brought up and opened as needed.  Barrels for gunpowder would of course be stored in the magazine(s) and spirits in the spirit room.  Barrels on deck would be a) and encumberance to working the ship; very dangerous if they broke loose and rolled around the deck; c) exposed to sea water and changes in temperature, accelerating spoilage.  As druxey mentioned, probably the only barrel(s) normally on deck would be small water butts.

 

Patrick

[ross]

Many thanks for your replies,thats cleared my question up,will stick to a couple of water butts.Ross

[popeye2sea]

Make sure they include a scuttle (hole) to ladle water out of....wouldn't want to deprive the crew of the benefits of scuttle-butt

[ross]

Will do Popeye.

[BobF]

Hi Ross,

 

Saw your inquiry concerning scuttlebutts, so I thought I'd post a photo of one that I mounted on a Pinky.  Hope it helps.

 

BobF

[wefalck]

Just an observation (without any reference to period or location): I have seen on many (contemporary) models water barrels that are not round but sort of oval in shape. A reason for this could be that they would not roll around like mad when come loose, but rather slide, giving the crew a chance to catch them.

 

wefalck

[ross]

Thanks for the pic Bob,exactely what i wanted to see,and the info from Wefalck clears up the question of the oval barrels i have seen,wondered why they were that shape,mutch appreciated thank you Ross.

[shipman]

During the Napolionic era I understand a barrel of apples was often on deck for the crew.

[Ian B]

In the story 'Treasure Island' Jim hid in the apple barrel listening to Long John Silver. Some images, films, TV and drawings show it on deck others below deck, perhaps the actual book says where it is?  not sure this helps this thread but just a passing thought  LOL

[CapnMac82]

Cooperage gets mired in language pretty quickly, too--along with national/cultural practices.

 

The largest cooperage was the tunne (or tunn, tonne, tounne, etc) of about 210-252 gallons (Imperial & US, respectively) that was about 100 cubic feet (English, although I have read of them being in French pied) in volume.  The 100 cubic foot measure of the wine tunne is said to be the origin of the cargo capacity "deadweight ton"--which is not a liquid measure but a volume one of 100 CF, about 2.83m³.

 

Then there were butts, about 126 gallons; then puncheon, about 84 gallons; then hogshead, around 63 gallons; tierce at 42 gallons; barrels at 31.5 gallons, and rundlets at 15 gallons.  These could be stacked in holds so as to use the full available spaces.  The names change over the years as do the volumes, with Keg, Pony, Butt, and Barrel all getting different sizes attached to them (especially the Barrel, which had a wine size, an oil size, and a petroleum size).

 

It's fascinating stuff, if like to give a person a headache reading through the differing sources (which is even more vexing when in various National units even more so than SI).