640 THE HISPANIC AMERICAN HISTORICAL REVIEW 



used were so small, yet the best of them were not large, and 

 afforded but poor protection to the mariners. Huge waves 

 would come sweeping over the gunwales, carrying away every- 

 thing above deck. On such a schooner as the Sonora, except 

 in a calm, the sailors could not perform their duties on the ship 

 without becoming thoroughly wet. 43 Since they were used to a 

 warmer climate, they suffered greatly from the cold of the north- 

 ern latitudes. Their clothes became soaked by the rain and 

 spray, so that in spite of the extra issue of clothing provided by 

 the king, large numbers fell sick with severe colds contracted from 

 fatigue and exposure. There were no conveniences for their 

 care and protection, and few medicines. Consequently many 

 seamen died, and the work of exploration was hampered 

 accordingly. 



The seamen's rations which Magellan supplied for his voyage 

 included wine, olive oil, vinegar, fish, pork, peas and beans, 

 flour, garlic, cheese, honey, almonds, anchovies, raisins, prunes, 

 figs, sugar, quince preserves, capers, mustard, beef, and rice. 44 

 Other Spanish explorers carried similar provisions, though prob- 

 ably none so complete a list. Martinez carried aboard his 

 frigate to Nootka Sound some goats, hogs, cows and calves. 45 

 But not all ships were so well supplied. Often the men were 

 forced to go on short rations. For instance, Maurelle tells how 

 he was obliged to reduce the allowance to five ounces of bread, 

 three of pork, and two of beans, per day; and many cases were 

 far worse than his. 46 Even so, the sailors would generally have 

 been adequately provided for, but for the spoiling of the rations 

 aboard ship. Fresh food would not remain fresh long, but soon 

 all became corrupted. The ships were dirty and swarming with 

 vermin and rats which attacked the rations. On board Mau- 

 relle's ship the cockroaches reduced the biscuit to a powder, and 



18 Maurelle-, Journal of a voyage in 1775, supra. Translation in Barrington, 

 op. cit., p. 478. 



44 Blair and Robertson, XXXIII. 278, note 25. 



46 Martinez, supra, p. 157. 



8 Narrative of an interesting voyage in the frigate La Princesa, from 

 Manila to San Bias in 1780, and 1781. Translation in La Perouse, op. cit., 

 I. 409. 



