Re: US Naval Uniform Patters
you are absolutely correct in that fancy embroidery was a traditional pass time of Sailors. There are many examples of heavily embroidered uniforms, hats, seabags and ditty bags. These items were refered to as "Homeward Bounders". Sailors on long voyages would spend the first half of the cruise collecting fabric, ribbon, cloth tape and buttons. Then, at the (more or less) half way pooint, they would begin working on a uniform that they would wear when they returned to their home port. These uniforms were not for "Duty" wear, but rather to wear ashore . When ships in that day returned from a long cruise, the crew was "payed off" (discharged, the ship was laied up in the yards for overhaul and the officers went home to await re-assignment.
The wearing of "Homeward bounders" marked the Sailors as Deep Water Men, who were no longer under naval jurisdiction. (Much like Veteran Stripes in the Army).
As far as the 1840s battles in California, there is much evidence that the Sailors both when ashore as landing parties and aboard ship were in fact wearing blue denim clothing during most of the operations there. It was cooler, more comfortable, more durable and easier to take care of than woolens. Oh yeah, and whites were seldome worn for work, being almost intirely reserved for musters, inspections, liberty and dressing up for official visitors.
Steve Hesson
you are absolutely correct in that fancy embroidery was a traditional pass time of Sailors. There are many examples of heavily embroidered uniforms, hats, seabags and ditty bags. These items were refered to as "Homeward Bounders". Sailors on long voyages would spend the first half of the cruise collecting fabric, ribbon, cloth tape and buttons. Then, at the (more or less) half way pooint, they would begin working on a uniform that they would wear when they returned to their home port. These uniforms were not for "Duty" wear, but rather to wear ashore . When ships in that day returned from a long cruise, the crew was "payed off" (discharged, the ship was laied up in the yards for overhaul and the officers went home to await re-assignment.
The wearing of "Homeward bounders" marked the Sailors as Deep Water Men, who were no longer under naval jurisdiction. (Much like Veteran Stripes in the Army).
As far as the 1840s battles in California, there is much evidence that the Sailors both when ashore as landing parties and aboard ship were in fact wearing blue denim clothing during most of the operations there. It was cooler, more comfortable, more durable and easier to take care of than woolens. Oh yeah, and whites were seldome worn for work, being almost intirely reserved for musters, inspections, liberty and dressing up for official visitors.
Steve Hesson
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