Officer and sailor rations in Nelson's navy

Officers and sailors generally drew from the same underlying naval rations. Officers might have better alcohol, employ a more skilled cook, or acquire special food when entertaining, but those differences did not amount to a wholly separate daily supply system. Sailors' messes often cooked their own allocation, which could create a difference in preparation rather than ingredients. A captain who fed officers well while neglecting the crew would also damage the ship's cohesion and effectiveness.