Humoral Theory's Biggest Fan

Happy Valentines day! I have many things to be doing but ignore that and enjoy my nonsense valentines :D

+ A especially nonsensical bonus under the cut because if nothing else I will stay on brand

All the lights were extinguished at 9:00pm in the summer and 8:00pm in the winter. The master-at-arms and his corporals passed through the ship to ensure that everyone, officers included, adhered to this regulation. In some ships, the officers were allowed a lantern to read by in the wardroom until 10:00pm or longer, but it was “nevertheless expected that gentlemen will not Keep a light in their rooms after turning in.” Another commander put it even more forcefully: “It is ordered that officers do not leave lights in their rooms unattended and that they never on any consideration read by candle light when in bed as the practice is not only extremely dangerous but has ever been prohibited by the regulations of the Service.” (Concord orders, 1831-1833)

Amos Evans, surgeon aboard Constitution, recorded in his journal (Amos Evans, Journal Kept on Board the Frigate Constitution, 1812 Reprint (Lincoln, MA: William D. Sawtell, 1967), 166) the near tragic results of being careless with fire:

Were alarmed about 9 o’clock with the cry of fire in the cockpit. Produced by one of the Surgeon’s Mates having left a candle burning in his state room with the door locked. We found considerable difficulty in opening the door, in attempting to force which I had my right hand jammd with a crowbar: in consequence of which I am under the necessity of writing with my left…. The cry of fire is dreadful on shore, but ten thousand times more distressing on board a powder ship at sea. It produced much confusion, but was instantly extinguished. The Surgeon’s Mate, who is truly a worthy fellow, was arrested for his negligence.

With lights-out came the end of the day. The watches continued to rotate, and assuming there were no emergencies to contend with, the sailors could look forward to a much-needed rest. And so the days came and went, one week very much like the rest, the monotony broken occasionally by the lookout’s cry of “sail ho!” or by the racing storm.

Royal Navy Assistant Surgeons Uniform from the British Empire dated between 1856 - 1863 on display at the National War Museum in Edinburgh, Scotland

This uniform belonged to Assistant Surgeon Charles Matthew Normand during his time in the Royal Navy. Surgeon's were a vital role in the prevention of disease on ships as well as dealing with the horrific injuries sailors were subject to running the ship and also in naval warfare.

Normand was from Dysart in Fife and served aboard the HMS Himalaya. Due to Scotland's history of medical advancements, Scottish surgeon's were in high demand in the Royal Navy during the 19th century. Many surgeon's also campaigned for better conditions onboard ships seeing the health issues that sailors suffered.

Door no. 6 and today a very old lady shows up - but please do not believe that she is harmless. Her name "Old Ironside" is not without reason. I think you know who you have here - of course it's USS Constitution

USS Constitution, photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Skyler Okerman, 2022

A few more infos about her: