Before 1806, the qualification for a ship's cook rested on pension status following service injury, usually the loss of a limb. Cooks often lacked formal culinary training and learned through experience. The appointment differed from serving as a captain's private cook. Crews could make their displeasure very clear when the food was badly prepared.
Notable Point · 2:17:04-2:17:51
How service injuries shaped the appointment of ship's cooks
Ship's cooks commonly learned through experience after receiving appointments associated with service injury and pension status.