Furniture like tables and chairs???

[timboat]

Anybody have an idea what kind of table or chairs were used on an early 18th century English Man-O-War?  Specifically the kind of table or chairs in the ward room or great cabin?  Thanks!

[Louie da fly]

 

Just guessing here, but I think it would to a certain degree depend on the Captain's finances - a well-off captain would probably provide his own furniture and it would most likely be in the fashion of the day (there should be lots of images on the Net if you do a google search), though unless he was very wealthy, I'd expect it to be a relatively plain version of that style. If he wasn't well-off, the ship's carpenter would probably make it for him and it would be VERY plain.

 

Steven

[Mark P]

Hi Tim;

 

There was an official 'establishment' for the issue of tables to Royal Navy vessels.  They were issued by the dockyard.  I cannot remember where I saw it,  though.  Don't recall anything about chairs.  Sea chests probably filled the duty much of the time,  especially in the gun-room,  and for at least some of the ward-rooms' inhabitants. 

 

I remember also seeing pictures of part of a table recovered from a ship-wreck,  but again,  I am afraid I cannot remember much else about it.

 

All the best,

 

Mark P

[uss frolick]

The 1799 indent for stores of the USF Essex listed a 'painted table' for the wardroom (6'4" long) and 12 'fan back' chairs which were 'painted and varnished', four of them with arms, which Portia Takajian kindly drew in her inboard profile plan for her AOTS volume.

Edited November 4, 2017 by uss frolick

[Louie da fly]

I stand corrected, but it's a pleasure to be so. That's really fascinating information, and I suppose after all that furniture would have been regarded as part of a ship's "establishment".

 

Steven

[Mark P]

Hi Tim/Steven;

 

Further to earlier posts,  I am reading Lavery's book 'Nelsons's Navy,  Ships,  Men & Organization',  and he says that the ship's carpenter and his mates were responsible for making the mess tables and benches for the crew,  and the tables and chairs for the gunroom and wardroom.  As this would have been done using government supplied timber,  there would certainly have been an official listing of what they were allowed to make.

 

All the best,

 

Mark P

Edited December 9, 2017 by Mark P

[JerseyCity Frankie]

Where did I read about a French Ship -think it was French- which upon going into battle would hoist the nicer furniture high aloft into the rigging, to keep it safe from cannon fire and prevent its becoming more splinters in an engagement? Why they wouldn’t strike it into the hold I do not remember. It may have been John Keegan’s book The Price of Admiralty? Anyway I love the thought of including the incongruous furniture in the rigging on a model!

[mtaylor]

Frankie,

As near as I can tell, the furniture would have went below.  The problem is that many times (usually?), the rigging was targeted to kill a ship's movement and maneuvering.  Also, sending it up would have put it in the way of the crew working aloft.   I suppose that sending them up the mast could have happened but I don't think it's likely.

[JerseyCity Frankie]

Nevertheless I remember reading it. And not in a novel. Maybe the source will come back to me.

[Sailor1234567890]

It would have been more a useful move for the French than the English. The French aimed high to damage rigging. The English aimed low to damage hull and crew.

[dvm27]

Not exactly what you were looking for but, if the Queen were on board your vessel you might expect to see furniture such as this:

http://www.shipmodell.com/index_files/0ROYAL_CAROLINE3.html

I don't believe you'll see finer furnishings on any ship (or dollhouse) model than these!

[uss frolick]

Here is a very nice video tour the cabins of 1853 Constellation, showing some spartan Civil War era furnishings: