The seaman had a daily half pint ration of grog, comprising two parts water to one part rum. It was issued with full ceremony daily at 12.30.

In such damp, cold conditions, tuberculosis was common. There were no drugs, so spitting was the only way to clear the lungs. Sailors bought tobacco which they could smoke in a pipe or chewed and spat out. Officers smoked pipes or cigars on the upper deck in the evening.

Uniforms had been introduced in 1859, the year before Warrior's launch. The dress depended on the job and the time of day or week. The normal outfits comprised dark blue jumpers and white trousers. All white outfits were worn for drills.

Stokers wore white suits of duck - a material similar to canvas, all the time and on Sundays, hats - black in winter and white in summer- were compulsory except in wet weather.

Clothes were issued monthly from the Paymaster and the cost of the uniform deducted from the seaman's wages. The Paymaster was a key figure on the ship. He controlled the victualling, clothes and pay from his lower deck office.

Pay parade was monthly and formal. Off-watch seamen reported to the pay office and, at the command, a seaman took off his hat so that his wages could be put in it. Pay levels ranged from the Captain's £1 a day to the sixpence (2.5p) paid to a Boy Second Class.