Slop books and alphabets

[Danny Jo]

I have a copy of a letter to the Admiralty Commissioners from my great (x4) grandfather William Spicer, 1st lieutenant of the Cornwall, dated 19 Jan 1767. He states that he is sending monthly books, a slop book and alphabets. (The Cornwall in question was a 74-gun third-rate, Arrogant class ship of the line, launched 19 May 1761 in Deptford and burned, on the grounds that it was beyond repair, in 1780.)

He was presumably requesting cash to pay the crew. How did "slop book and alphabets" get to be used in this context?

 

[tillergirl]

"At sea, the captain had charge of teh sea stores known as slops, such as bedding and clothing, which he sold to those of the crew who needed them" "He had to keep a journal in duplicate, for the benefit of the Admiralty, and at the end of a cruise he had to send an account "of the qualities of his ship" to the commissioners."

Sea Life in Nelson's time by John Masefield

Haven't found alphabets yet.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

No answer..... but what a wonderful thing to have laid your hands upon!

 

[sarabande]

Alphabet

inc: a list of the men serving on board.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/familyhistory/guide/navy/ships.htm

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/records.aspx?cat=075-col_11&cid=7-5-4-13#7-5-4-13