![]() The idea of parties ashore in rather isolated locations continued, particularly in training squadrons, well into the 1950s. Moresby tells of a picnic ashore on the coast of Chile when, "after a glorious supper of fish, grog, songs and bonfire, we started at a late hour to return, and found we had mislaid the boatswain!" Footnote 2 ![]() Perhaps one such occasion was in 1850 when HMS Thetis, a beautiful sailing frigate of thirty-eight guns was on passage from Valparaiso to her station at Esquimalt. These "goodies" would be brought out in the various messes to tide over otherwise drab meals.Īlso, captains came to understand that picnics ashore, particularly on an isolated beach far from civilization where desertion would likely not be attempted, were good for ship's morale. Also, seamen became adept at stowing away palatable foodstuffs of the more tasty kind acquired during "runs" ashore or by barter from bumboat proprietors in harbour. For one thing, especially in private ships or detached squadrons on lengthy voyages, fishing from the ship's side was encouraged, and this diversion from ship's routine was much enjoyed. ![]() He closed with the request that the ship's purser be compensated for this extra expense! Footnote 1īanyan days gradually changed from meagre or lean days to much more pleasant ones. when the British fleet was in sight of the Enemy ordered the Company of His Majesty's Ship the Queen to be supplied with an allowance of Pork for their dinner, it being a Banyan day and finding them exceedingly fatigued after the actions of the 29 May and 1st June, I directed them to be served with half an allowance of wine more than their daily portion. Vice-Admiral Sir Alan Gardner, writing to the Admiralty from his flagship HMS Queen in 1794, informed their Lordships: While this practice continued well into the nineteenth century, flag officers were not above changing the rules when the operational situation warranted. The term is derived from the Banians, a caste of Hindus in India, who abstained from the use of meat on religious grounds, a reverence for life. The staple on banyan days was a kind of porridge made from dried peas. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays were banyan days designed to conserve the supply of kegs of "salt-horse," that is, salted-down beef, during sea passages which often took many months. As a sea term, it dates from the seventeenth century. In spite of the changing nature of the banyan party, there are three constants: it is always a fun occasion, it is held outdoors, and the emphasis is on good food, good drink and good fellowship - something along the lines of the old-fashioned picnic.īanyan in the navy originally meant a meatless, and therefore an unpopular, day. An example of the custom that continues to evolve or change over the years is the banyan, a special kind of party peculiar to the navy.
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