Compiled by Richard Roberts 1995
Like the army, maritime personnel’s income varied with the level of international political and military tension. This appears particular true at sea where the likelihood of conflict could signal a large if temporary increase in wage levels. The representative incomes listed below are based on monetary pay per day and excluding food, accommodation and clothing where applicable.
| 1625 | Mariner | 6d | King’s Ship | . | |
| 1625 | Master | 3s 4d | Trinity House | . | |
| 1626 | Captain | 6s 8d | Merchant Ship | Wage Increased | |
| 1626 | Captain | 2s 6d | Ship “Cameleon” | . | |
| 1626 | Captain | 10s 0d | King’s Ship | Wage Increased | |
| 1626 | Seaman | 8d | Medium Rate | Wage Increased | |
| 1642 | Mariner | 8d | Portsmouth | Windmill Fort |
In 1626 One Shilling was paid on the impressment of a Mariner, with the addition of one halfpenny a mile Conduct Money. By 1654 this Conduct Money has increased for those fifteen to fifty year old men impressed to one and one halfpenny per mile. However the wage was that given in former years.
Listed below is the victualling allowance during 1626 for one sailor on each day.
On each of four days of the week:
| Biscuits | 1 lb | ||
| Wheat (for one week) | ¾ peck (i.e. 12 pts) | ||
| Butter | 4 oz | ||
| Cheese | 8 oz | ||
| If fish served then amount of butter and cheese was halved. | |||
| . | |||
| . |
and on each of the other three days of the week:
| Beef | 2 ibs | ||
| or | . | ||
| Pork or Bacon | 1 lb | With a pint of Peas |
The victualling allowance on board the ship “Providence” was cut in 1649 from 7d to 6d a day per man.
The Admiralty Commissioner over the winter of 1654 allowed three shillings and six pence to feed one seafarer for a week. An extra cost of one penny per day was allowed while at sea.
This allowance was per man per week:
| Biscuits | 7 lbs | |
| Beer | 28 pnts | |
| Beef | 3 lbs | |
| Peas | 3 lbs | |
| Butter | 1 lb | |
| Cheese | 2 lbs |
Sources as per King’s Train of Artillery