Why naval mess cooking differed from army catering

When did centralized naval cooking develop, and why did it seem to follow army catering?

No precise date is given. Ships already had facilities for mess preparation, while soldiers dispersed on duties could benefit from cooking being grouped together.

Ships allocated food to individuals who ate together in messes and already had cooking facilities aboard. Soldiers away on duties such as picket service could benefit from food preparation being grouped together, although some army units also supported themselves. Both services could supplement their allocated supplies. Naval crews did considerable fishing, and unusual foods were not necessarily a response to shortages. Pacific tortoises provide an example: crews kept eating animals intended for transport to Britain because they were regarded as a delicacy.