Daily life was busy for Civil War sailors in both the United States and Confederate navies. Every day, sailors worked long hours with little rest. The tasks assigned to crew members were frequently repetitive and fatiguing, but they kept the ship in good condition and battle-ready. Just like people today, when Civil War sailors were not working or training, they were often trying to claim leisure time while also staving off boredom. Social activities such as games and playing music as well as private pastimes such as reading and crafting were some of the most popular ways for crew members to stay entertained and keep morale high. Within their daily cycle, getting their tasks done and finding moments of leisure went hand in hand, as both were essential for maintaining morale and ensuring the success of life aboard a Civil War naval ship.

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Each crew member had a part to play in keeping the ship running smoothly. The size of the crew depended on the size of the ship. For example, the bulky ironclad ram CSS Jackson would have had a crew of about 200 men, while a smaller ironclad, such as the USS Monitor, would have been manned by a crew of only about 57. The popular phrase, “a navy ship never sleeps,” comes from the fact that these vessels—almost like factories—were constantly bustling with activity. A sailor’s workday typically began at 5:00 a.m. and ended at 8:00 p.m. In addition, sailors also took turns with 4-hour watch shifts throughout the night.

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During the Civil War, a ship maintained a rank-based division of labor. The majority of unskilled recruits held the lowest enlisted rank of landsman, a position that typically made up about fifty percent of a ship’s crew. Their work aboard the ship consisted of demanding and unglamourous heavy labor, including cleaning the ship, scrubbing the deck, and making small repairs. The next rank for enlisted sailors was seaman, which usually consisted of about twenty-five percent of the any ship’s crew. These men did basic naval tasks as well as assisted the petty officers. In addition to landsmen and seamen, there were skilled workers and craftsmen on most navy ships, including engineers, mechanics, navigators, carpenters, and surgeons. By completing their various tasks, these men all contributed toward keeping the ship functional and combat ready.

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One of the greatest hardships for Civil War sailors was the monotony of their routines. While their tasks may have been draining and repetitive, the work that the sailors did every day was also very necessary for keeping the ship operational. When sailors were not working, they found different ways to fill their time, stay entertained, and recharge for the next day’s labor.

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Among sailors, mealtimes were especially cherished and anticipated both because they gave them regular breaks from their work and served as markers of time throughout the day’s cycle including breakfast, a midday meal, and dinner. Common foods that sailors ate were salted pork or beef, dried vegetables, rice, and beans. Hardtack—which is a dense cracker made with flour, water, and salt—was also popular due to its long shelf life. Typically, one cook was assigned to every mess—a group of 8-12 men—and was responsible for preparing their rations and meals each week. Keeping sailors well-fed was essential to maintaining their strength and morale. Providing adequate food aboard Civil War ships was a constant challenge, especially for the Confederacy due to severe resource shortages and unreliable transportation networks. For ships serving in the United States blockade, proximity to coastal ports and a relatively constant and reliable location made the logistics of providing foodstuffs more manageable and these vessels frequently had access to fresh produce and livestock.​