Admiralty Office 1 Jul 1824.

The following new regulations have been just issued. by the Lords of the Admiralty, for the establishing of an improved mode of victualling the seamen of His Majesty's navy, and paying to them a portion of their pay whilst employed on foreign service :-

The King having been pleased, by his Order in Council of the 23d of June, to establish a new and improved scale for victualling his Majesty's navy, a copy thereof is subjoined.

There shall be allowed to every person serving in His Majesty's ships, the following daily quantities of provisions, viz.

When fresh meat and vegetables are not issued, there shall be allowed in lieu thereof:

And, weekly, whether fresh or salt meat is issued, oatmeal half pint, vinegar half-pint.

On the days on which flour is ordered to be issued, suet and raisins, or currants, may be substituted for a portion of flour, at the following rate:-

One pound of Raisins being considered equal to 1 lb. of Flour.
Half pound of Currants being considered equal to 1 lb. of Flour.
Half pound of Suet being considered equal to 1 lb. of Flour.

In case it should be found necessary to alter any of the above species of provisions, and to issue others as their substitutes, it is to be:

1 lb. of Butter is to be considered equal to 1 lb. of Sugar.
2 lb. of Cheese are to be considered equal to 1 lb. of Cocoa.
¼ lb. Onions or Leeks to be equal to 1 lb. of other vegetables.

Flag-officers, captains, and other commanding officers will observe in the above scale, and will fully explain to the ships' companies under their orders, the advantages of this new system - viz. that what were called banyan days are abolished - that meat, vegetables, flour, or peas, is to be issued every day - that flour, instead of being exchanged for a portion of beef, will now become an article of the men's regular allowance - and that a quantity of tea or coffee sufficient to make a pint of liquid will be issued every evening.

It will be observed in the table of substitutes, that the quantity of spirits to be issued in lieu of beer or wines is diminished one half ; but in addition to the pint of tea or coffee allowed in part compensation for this diminution of spirits, His Majesty has been graciously pleased, in further and full compensation, to add 2s. per month to the pay of such warrant officers as do riot rank with lieutenants, and of each petty and non-commissioned officer seaman, marine, and boy. As the diminution of spirits only takes -place when beer and wine are not issued, while the addition of tea of coffee, and the increased pay, are permanent, it will be obvious how much this regulation is to the pecuniary advantage and comfort of the ships' companies, while it is confidently expected that the diminution in the article of spirits will conduct to the health of the people, and the good order and discipline of the ships.

In addition to these advantages, it is intended that a certain portion of the pay which may be due to each warrant and petty officer (not allowed to draw bills, and to each non-commissioned officer, seaman, marine, and boy, who may be desirous of receiving, shall be issued to them when in any port abroad or at home, at the expiration of every one, two, or three months, as the Captain may judge expedient by way of pocket-money, viz. 4s. per month to warrant, petty, and non-commissioned officers, seamen, and marines, and 2s. to each boy ; but as the carrying this arrangement into full effect will require the sanction of the Legislature, it is intended to submit a bill to Parliament, early in the next session, to authorize it ; and in the mean while, in order to carry the same principle into effect as far as is at present practicable, the addition 2s. now added to the pay as compensation for part of the spirits, will be paid to the before-mentioned classes in the same way that short allowance money is now paid.

The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, in communicating to the Fleet the gracious and beneficent intentions of the King, are satisfied that they will be received by the officers and men as additional marks of His Majesty's favour, and as real and substantial improvements to the condition of the petty and non-commissioned officers and men. By commander their Lordships, J.W. Croker.

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