Bound wooden barrel for the storage of the ships food supplies circa 1900, complete with it's own stand. As is extremely common, the bottom part of the barrel has been replaced over the years, these tend to rot out when in use. Measurements below are not including the stand, which has a 47cm Diameter. 

Storage of food was a major problem - there were no refrigerators , 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!

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 please contact us - sales@trinitymarine.co.uk.