Daily Routine
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Life on board was made up of routine tasks. The ship’s rigging had to looked after. Sometimes sailors had to fish for some fresh food to add to their diet. They also attended religious services on board the ships. |
| One of the most important tasks was the turning of the sandglass (like a modern egg timer). This was done when every half an hour when the sands ran out. This was the only way of knowing the time on board the ship and when to change the watch. It was also used to measure distance and speed. One of the boys would sing a short song whenever the sand glass was turned. |  |
Keeping
Watch
The crew were divided into 2 watches, each under the direction of a single
officer. This officer was in charge of the ship during his watch. The
watch changed every 4 hours, after the eighth turn of the sandglass. The
lookouts were changed every hour.
Throughout the morning the watch was changed at 4.00 am, 8.00 am and 12
noon. In the afternoon it changed at 4.00 pm, 8.00 pm and 12 midnight.
This meant that different crews worked different watches.
Daily Routine – Captain Horatio Donai
Here is Captain - Horatio Donai’s daily routine on board La Trinidad
Valencera.
The captain was responsible for the ship and it’s crew.
| 06.00 |
Rise, wash and dress Inspect Ships Company on deck and meet with navigator and sand clocker Assign crew tasks for the day. Lead morning prayer with the priest Return below to cabin |
| 07.00 |
Breakfast of hard tack biscuits, water, bread or wine. Send cabin boy to summon officers. Meet with officers and hear any reports e.g. any further outbreaks of sickness etc. |
| 08.00 | Return
to deck and take navigational readings |
| 12.00 | New watch
and order crew to wash down the decks. Order preparation of rations for the men of salted fish, pork and other meats, with bread and water or ale. |
| 14.00 | New watch Write reports for the Duke of Medina Sidonia who was in charge of the Armada |
| 16.00 | Perform arms
drills with men, practice battle run and positioning of guns. Check with the lookouts that no enemy ships have yet been sighted. Take speed readings and check water depth. |
| 18.00 | Relive
3rd watch and prepare for the night watch. Check that all sand clockers are in their post. See that the last watch is supplied with meal accompanied by some fruit to ward off scurvy. |
| 19.00 | Take meal of oaten bread, fish and wine |
| 20.00 | New
watch. Finish outstanding paper work |
| 21.00 | Retire to bed |