US Naval Uniform Patters

[sigsaye]

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

[Pvt Peck]

Re: US Naval Uniform Patters

Steve:

Thanks for the info!

Ted Parrott

[Ian M.]

Re: US Naval Uniform Patters

I always wondered whether stars embroidered on sailors' collar corners had a specific rank significance or were just "fancy work." Also, just how prevalent were they on, say, dress or liberty jumpers for non-long service types?

[sigsaye]

Re: US Naval Uniform Patters

The stars had no signifigince what so ever. They were strictly fancy work applied by the Sailor himself to his going ashore uniforms. There is one first person account of a Sailor being issued a frock with stars already on it, but again, it is the only referance of its kind.

The stars would seem to be very common if you go by surviving examples. However, you have to remember that the surviving frocks are almost all examples of the going ashore frocks that the Sailor would have worn home after discharge, not the gear he wore everyday. This can be very misleading with Navy uniforms.

When you look at photos taken aboard ship, for the most part, the crews attire is very plain. Most studio photos also show plain uniforms. These guys did ot get that much liberty, so most would not really bother with having special uniforms for liberty. About the most you really see is a boe or some toppong ornement on a hat.

Steve Hesson