£3,200.00 (inc. VAT)

Bound wooden barrel for the storage of the ships food supplies late 1700s

The bottom part of the barrel has been replaced over the years

Storage of food was a major problem – there were no refrigerators and canned meat did not appear until 1816. Food and drink was stored in the hold in large barrels or casks

Prior to 1816 the only means of preserving meat was to store it in salt. This made the meat very hard and dry – and if there had not been enough salt added to the barrel when the meat was packed, it was probable that the meat would have rotted

Bread did not keep so flour was baked into hard biscuit. These became soft in storage and tasted unpleasant by the time they were issued. Weevils and maggots infested the biscuit – men were advised to eat biscuit with their eyes closed so that they did not see the soft bits!

Dimensions :

approximately  92cm 3ft height

54.5cm 21.5in width

71cm 28in length

In a market full of souvenirs & fakes, we are are proud to present to you these, the ‘Real McCoy,’ in which to confidently invest, and wholeheartedly enjoy

This is not an add to basket item . We ship all over the Globe , if you would like a shipping quote , please contact us with your delivery address



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