text: Yarrrrg! \n\nI was told that back in those days folk did not drink much water. Rather, they drank ale as it was cleaner (filtered and sterilized by the brew-making process) as well as more nutritious than water (not just the salt water whilst at sea, but even the town water supply). Each man on board would've likely had a very specific ration of water (or other spirits) allotted to them.