HM Sloop OTTER clothing and equipment
The British Navy had no set uniform for its ship's crews during our era of portrayal, but the styles of clothing
were none the less very much the same, with the main focus being on functionality aboard ship.
Deserter ads and period artwork indicate that the bulk of seaman serving on Royal Navy vessels were wearing
some form of sailor’s, or short, jackets; linen shirts; long or “narrow” trousers. The men also, in most cases, are
described as wearing stockings, felt hats, and handkerchiefs. The best example of what we believe the typical
Royal Navy sailor would be wearing is found in the painting "The Sailor's Return, 1779" seen below:
Seaman’s Clothing
The Crew of HM Sloop OTTER will outfit itself as seen in the picture below. The requirements are listed in
detail in our Sailor's manual, issued to each new member.
Accouterments
Ditty bag - small drawstring bag for personal items, natural linen or hemp canvas. HAVERSACKS ARE NOT
TO BE USED FOR THE SEAMAN'S IMPRESSION
Canteen - Any period correct canteen (wooden, tin) will be acceptable, since no current documentation states
that sailors would commonly use a canteen. This requirement is in place as a safety precaution for the
reenactor.
Armament
The following are examples of the types of weapons found on 18th century sailing ships, whether privateer or
ship of war, taken from Virginia Gazette ads:
“…Whereas a sloop tender, manned and armed in his majesty’s service, was, on Saturday the 2d instant, in a
violent gale of wind, cast on shore in Backwater, Elizabeth county, having on board the under-mentioned king’s
stores, which the inhabitants of Hampton thought proper to seize, I am therefore to desire that the king’s sloop,
with all the stores belonging to her, be immediately returned; or the people of Hampton, who committed the
outrage, must be answerable for the consequences.
I am, gentleman, your humble servant, Matthew Squire.
6 swivels, 5 muskets, 5 cutlasses, 2 powder horns, 2 cartouch boxes, 36 swivel shot…”
“…To be sold for ready money, at the town of Portsmouth, on Monday the 21st instant (July)…belonging to the
schooner VAN TROMP…2 exceeding good two pounders with carriages, 4 swivels, 7 muskets, 2 brass
blunderbusses, 2 sponges, langrell shot, and 5 cutlasses…”
“…For Sale; The schooner HANNAH…carries 2 carriage guns and 2 swivels, 2 blunderbusses, with muskets
and cutlasses…Petersburg…”
“…To be sold at Petersburg…several small arms, pistols, blunderbusses, cutlasses, a quantity of powder…saved
from the brigantine DISPATCH…lately chased on shore, and stranded on the coast of North Carolina. And on
Thursday the 14th of October, will also be sold at South Quay…a pair of swivels, also saved from the said
brigantine…”
“…To be sold…at Norfolk…the brig ARROW…She has six 4 pounders, swivels, howitzers, muskets, pistols,
cutlasses, and other implements for privateering…”
“…To be sold at Captain La Porte’s store in Williamsburg…blunderbusses, pistols with swivels, muskets,
cutlasses…”
Based on the above documentation, the crew of HM Sloop OTTER will arm itself with the following :
Cutlass - period correct naval cutlass. Also acceptable is any period correct sword or hanger. To be carried in
any period correct belt and frog
Boarding pikes - Period correct pikes of proper length
Boarding pistol - any period correct flintlock pistol that would have possibly been in use in Virginia in the late
18th century. The British sea service or “boarding” pistol is preferred, however.
Musket - British Brown Bess, French Charleville, or fowling piece with bayonet, held in belt frog.
Blunderbuss (coach gun) – Brass or steel barrel flintlock blunderbuss musket.
Cartridge pouch - belly box with 1 1/2 to 2 inch leather belt.
Militia Alternative
From time to time, depending on the event, the recreated OTTER will be prepared to fall in as a generic militia
unit at the discretion of the event organizers. From various run away ads, it is evident that “sailor” type clothing
was somewhat common on the lower classes of that era, and may have been worn by locals mustering with their
respective militia companies.
“… RAN away … two Servant Men: The one named Thomas Sands… He had, when he went away, two blue
Jackets, one of them with Horn Buttons, one Pair of Oznabrig Trowsers, one old check Shirt, one Pair of white
Thread Stockings, one Pair of English Shoes, or Pumps or both, one Pair of Negros flat Shoes, one red Bird-
ey'd Handkerchief, and one old Castor Hat, torn on the Brim. The other named William Cole, … He had,
when he went away, one blew Pea-jacket, one blew under ditton, one red ditto, one Pair of Oznabrig Trowsers,
one Pair of Leather Breeches under them, one Castor Hat, one Worsted Cap, one white Shirt pretty much
worn, two Oznabrig ditto, one red Bird ey'd Handkerchief, one Pair of grey Worsted Stockings, one Pair of
good English Shoes, with a Pair of large white Metal Buckles, and one Pair of Negros flat Shoes…I expect they
will pass for Sailors , they having been brought up in that Employment…”
“… RUN away from the Neabsco furnace… a convict … had on or with him when he went away a new blue
fearnought pea jacket, an osnabrug and striped cotton shirt, osnabrug sailors trousers, a large half worn castor
hat, a pair of country made shoes, large yellow buckles… it is more than presumable he will endeavor to pass as
a sailor , and get on board some ship …”
Period sources also indicate that sailors often served time in local militia companies, as needed, when not at sea.
One such instance occurred in the county of Isle of Wight, Virginia. During Benedict Arnold’s invasion of the
state in January of 1781, the militia of that county, under the command of Colonel Josiah Parker, were called
out, and positioned a few miles outside of the town of Smithfield at Mackey’s Mill.
Arnold, returning from his raid up the James River, marched through Smithfield on January 15th. On the
afternoon of the 16th, as documented in the Journal of Hessian Captain Johan Ewald, a skirmish occurred
between his men and the militia defending the crossing at the mill.
The following is a list of paroled prisoners in Portsmouth, Virginia, in April, 1781, as stated in Helen Haverty
King's "Historical Notes on Isle of Wight County, Virginia (Donning and Company, Virginia Beach, Virginia,
1993, page 61-62).
John King, Farmer
Anth'y Hallyday, Farmer
Edmund Slakely, Farmer
Jos. Hawkins, Sailor
Peter Woodward, Sailor
Sam'l Goodwin, Sailor
John Hawkins, Shoemaker
Matw Whitfield, Carpenter
John Smalley, Blacksmith
James Pitt, Sailor
William Green, Farmer
Jos. Matthews, Cooper
Jno. Parkinson, Planter
Hardy Cook, Planter
Henry Sanders, Planter
Henry Parkinson, Planter
John Powell, Planter
Rich Pope, Planter
Jno. Halliday, Planter
Francis Hampton, Planter
Wm. Bolton, Planter
Harbourd Coggin, Planter
B. Jones, Planter
Wm. Weston, Planter
Peter Stoner, Miller
Horatio Darby, Planter
Willis Darden, Planter
Jos. Carbell, Planter
Benj. Cole, Planter
Elisha Ballard, Planter
James Carroll, Planter
These men were paroled between the dates of January 16th and 18th, 1781, after the skirmish at which they
were captured. As evident by this list, several sailors were serving in the militia at that time.
When portraying militia, the clothing standards mentioned in this packet still apply. However, weapons and
accouterments not common for a militia soldier will not be taken into the field. This includes blunderbusses,
pistols, cutlasses/swords, and pikes.
Manual of Arms
The typical seaman was not expected to be proficient in the manual of arms, though they would be required to
be familiar with the loading and firing of a musket. However, for purposes of safety, and the possibility of falling
in as militia at some events, the recreated OTTER has adopted the “1764” drill as its standard manual of arms.
Each member is required to show a proficiency in this drill before being allowed to fire a musket in the field.
The British Navy had no set uniform for its ship's crews during our era of portrayal, but the styles of clothing
were none the less very much the same, with the main focus being on functionality aboard ship.
Deserter ads and period artwork indicate that the bulk of seaman serving on Royal Navy vessels were wearing
some form of sailor’s, or short, jackets; linen shirts; long or “narrow” trousers. The men also, in most cases, are
described as wearing stockings, felt hats, and handkerchiefs. The best example of what we believe the typical
Royal Navy sailor would be wearing is found in the painting "The Sailor's Return, 1779" seen below:
Seaman’s Clothing
The Crew of HM Sloop OTTER will outfit itself as seen in the picture below. The requirements are listed in
detail in our Sailor's manual, issued to each new member.
Accouterments
Ditty bag - small drawstring bag for personal items, natural linen or hemp canvas. HAVERSACKS ARE NOT
TO BE USED FOR THE SEAMAN'S IMPRESSION
Canteen - Any period correct canteen (wooden, tin) will be acceptable, since no current documentation states
that sailors would commonly use a canteen. This requirement is in place as a safety precaution for the
reenactor.
Armament
The following are examples of the types of weapons found on 18th century sailing ships, whether privateer or
ship of war, taken from Virginia Gazette ads:
“…Whereas a sloop tender, manned and armed in his majesty’s service, was, on Saturday the 2d instant, in a
violent gale of wind, cast on shore in Backwater, Elizabeth county, having on board the under-mentioned king’s
stores, which the inhabitants of Hampton thought proper to seize, I am therefore to desire that the king’s sloop,
with all the stores belonging to her, be immediately returned; or the people of Hampton, who committed the
outrage, must be answerable for the consequences.
I am, gentleman, your humble servant, Matthew Squire.
6 swivels, 5 muskets, 5 cutlasses, 2 powder horns, 2 cartouch boxes, 36 swivel shot…”
“…To be sold for ready money, at the town of Portsmouth, on Monday the 21st instant (July)…belonging to the
schooner VAN TROMP…2 exceeding good two pounders with carriages, 4 swivels, 7 muskets, 2 brass
blunderbusses, 2 sponges, langrell shot, and 5 cutlasses…”
“…For Sale; The schooner HANNAH…carries 2 carriage guns and 2 swivels, 2 blunderbusses, with muskets
and cutlasses…Petersburg…”
“…To be sold at Petersburg…several small arms, pistols, blunderbusses, cutlasses, a quantity of powder…saved
from the brigantine DISPATCH…lately chased on shore, and stranded on the coast of North Carolina. And on
Thursday the 14th of October, will also be sold at South Quay…a pair of swivels, also saved from the said
brigantine…”
“…To be sold…at Norfolk…the brig ARROW…She has six 4 pounders, swivels, howitzers, muskets, pistols,
cutlasses, and other implements for privateering…”
“…To be sold at Captain La Porte’s store in Williamsburg…blunderbusses, pistols with swivels, muskets,
cutlasses…”
Based on the above documentation, the crew of HM Sloop OTTER will arm itself with the following :
Cutlass - period correct naval cutlass. Also acceptable is any period correct sword or hanger. To be carried in
any period correct belt and frog
Boarding pikes - Period correct pikes of proper length
Boarding pistol - any period correct flintlock pistol that would have possibly been in use in Virginia in the late
18th century. The British sea service or “boarding” pistol is preferred, however.
Musket - British Brown Bess, French Charleville, or fowling piece with bayonet, held in belt frog.
Blunderbuss (coach gun) – Brass or steel barrel flintlock blunderbuss musket.
Cartridge pouch - belly box with 1 1/2 to 2 inch leather belt.
Militia Alternative
From time to time, depending on the event, the recreated OTTER will be prepared to fall in as a generic militia
unit at the discretion of the event organizers. From various run away ads, it is evident that “sailor” type clothing
was somewhat common on the lower classes of that era, and may have been worn by locals mustering with their
respective militia companies.
“… RAN away … two Servant Men: The one named Thomas Sands… He had, when he went away, two blue
Jackets, one of them with Horn Buttons, one Pair of Oznabrig Trowsers, one old check Shirt, one Pair of white
Thread Stockings, one Pair of English Shoes, or Pumps or both, one Pair of Negros flat Shoes, one red Bird-
ey'd Handkerchief, and one old Castor Hat, torn on the Brim. The other named William Cole, … He had,
when he went away, one blew Pea-jacket, one blew under ditton, one red ditto, one Pair of Oznabrig Trowsers,
one Pair of Leather Breeches under them, one Castor Hat, one Worsted Cap, one white Shirt pretty much
worn, two Oznabrig ditto, one red Bird ey'd Handkerchief, one Pair of grey Worsted Stockings, one Pair of
good English Shoes, with a Pair of large white Metal Buckles, and one Pair of Negros flat Shoes…I expect they
will pass for Sailors , they having been brought up in that Employment…”
“… RUN away from the Neabsco furnace… a convict … had on or with him when he went away a new blue
fearnought pea jacket, an osnabrug and striped cotton shirt, osnabrug sailors trousers, a large half worn castor
hat, a pair of country made shoes, large yellow buckles… it is more than presumable he will endeavor to pass as
a sailor , and get on board some ship …”
Period sources also indicate that sailors often served time in local militia companies, as needed, when not at sea.
One such instance occurred in the county of Isle of Wight, Virginia. During Benedict Arnold’s invasion of the
state in January of 1781, the militia of that county, under the command of Colonel Josiah Parker, were called
out, and positioned a few miles outside of the town of Smithfield at Mackey’s Mill.
Arnold, returning from his raid up the James River, marched through Smithfield on January 15th. On the
afternoon of the 16th, as documented in the Journal of Hessian Captain Johan Ewald, a skirmish occurred
between his men and the militia defending the crossing at the mill.
The following is a list of paroled prisoners in Portsmouth, Virginia, in April, 1781, as stated in Helen Haverty
King's "Historical Notes on Isle of Wight County, Virginia (Donning and Company, Virginia Beach, Virginia,
1993, page 61-62).
John King, Farmer
Anth'y Hallyday, Farmer
Edmund Slakely, Farmer
Jos. Hawkins, Sailor
Peter Woodward, Sailor
Sam'l Goodwin, Sailor
John Hawkins, Shoemaker
Matw Whitfield, Carpenter
John Smalley, Blacksmith
James Pitt, Sailor
William Green, Farmer
Jos. Matthews, Cooper
Jno. Parkinson, Planter
Hardy Cook, Planter
Henry Sanders, Planter
Henry Parkinson, Planter
John Powell, Planter
Rich Pope, Planter
Jno. Halliday, Planter
Francis Hampton, Planter
Wm. Bolton, Planter
Harbourd Coggin, Planter
B. Jones, Planter
Wm. Weston, Planter
Peter Stoner, Miller
Horatio Darby, Planter
Willis Darden, Planter
Jos. Carbell, Planter
Benj. Cole, Planter
Elisha Ballard, Planter
James Carroll, Planter
These men were paroled between the dates of January 16th and 18th, 1781, after the skirmish at which they
were captured. As evident by this list, several sailors were serving in the militia at that time.
When portraying militia, the clothing standards mentioned in this packet still apply. However, weapons and
accouterments not common for a militia soldier will not be taken into the field. This includes blunderbusses,
pistols, cutlasses/swords, and pikes.
Manual of Arms
The typical seaman was not expected to be proficient in the manual of arms, though they would be required to
be familiar with the loading and firing of a musket. However, for purposes of safety, and the possibility of falling
in as militia at some events, the recreated OTTER has adopted the “1764” drill as its standard manual of arms.
Each member is required to show a proficiency in this drill before being allowed to fire a musket in the field.
