Pastimes in a Ship Under Sail

Work aboard ship in the age of sail was often hard and hazardous. This situation was not helped by cramped and damp accomodation, poor food and foul drinking water. However, when a vessel was sailing in the tradewinds there was fair weather, minimum work to do on watch and a sailor had time for leisure. So, what did a seafarer do with his spare time? For some, with artistic inclinations, there was scrimshaw- drawing on bone and whale teeth, and plaiting- making mats and decorations with old rope. Some of the items found among shipwreck material give a tantalising glimpse into the different games seafarers played when off duty. Dice have been found, an indication of gambling, but also tokens that were probably from board games such as backgammon and draughts. Finally, chess pieces have been discovered in several of the early wrecks on the WA Coast. Chess was introduced to Europe via Russia and then to the rest of the world via seafarers charting the sea-lanes of 'The New World'. Nowadays, a newly developed game is more likely to be spread internationally via the world-wide web, rather than by sea.

Two monkeys playing backgammon, c.1635-1668. Monkeys playing at human activity was a common theme in 17th Century art. 
Credit: Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, S5.7.1