This is an example of what the emigrants ate on board ship. This information is from the journey of the "Sir George Seymour". Remember that they ate this diet for five months!

Each emigrant was allowed the following:

Every day	1 lb dry biscuit 1/4 lb flour 3 quarts of water (about 3 litres - one big, and one small milk container!)
Three times a week	1 oz suet 1/2 lb dried peas
Twice a week	1/2 lb of pork 1/2 lb of preserved meat
Once a week	11/2 lb beef, 3 lb potatoes, 11/2 oz coffee, 1 oz tea, 6 oz butter, 2 oz salt, 1 lb rice, 3/4 lb sugar, 1/2 lb pickled cabbage, 1/2 oz mustard.

They had to cook their own food on swinging stoves down below, using only these ingredients. In order to prevent scurvy they were given a regular dose of lemon juice by the ship's doctor. This is because there was hardly any fresh vegetables in their diet, and no fresh fruit at all. (back to top)