The salter prepared the meals under the forecastle or 'tween-decks at the front of the ship.

In the morning, fishermen from Normandy were given biscuits with butter. Sea biscuits - round or square biscuits made of wheat-flour dough that was salted and baked at least twice - were what sailors commonly ate. A rich food source, they took up little space and kept a long time. The biscuits taken on long voyages were cooked up to four times, and they were made six months before the ship sailed to ensure that they were dry. In the sixteenth century, bakers in Honfleur were already well known for the biscuits they produced. ⁶⁷

On Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, when meat was allowed, each fisherman received six ounces of bacon with biscuit. Some of the meat was used to make the soup eaten at lunch. Pea soup was eaten at supper on days when meat was allowed, and at lunch and supper on all meatless days. The beverage consisted of cider that was watered down.

After the ship arrived on the Bank and the fishing had commenced, the crew ate mostly small cod and pilot fish. Many crews had bacon only on Sundays, and were reduced to eating vegetables and fish soup until there was a good supply of fish.

The mates had soup with bacon for lunch and peas with bacon for supper. On meatless days, they ate cod and fricasseed peas, and drank as much beer or wine as they wanted. Chickens were often kept in cages 'tween-decks. They supplied eggs and fresh meat for the captain and the pilot.

During the long, monotonous Atlantic crossing, the members of the crew kept busy when they were not on duty. They prepared their fishing lines and mounted their hooks. Some caught fresh fish for meals. Others looked after their clothing, or treated the leather on their shoes or overcoats.

Friday, March 29, 1754

The winds varied from east to ENE, a moderate breeze, squally weather. We trimmed the sails various ways and maintained the same westerly course, 5°20´ towards the south. According to my estimate, I covered about 41 leagues 40.

Saturday, March 30, 1754

The winds varied from ENE to east, a moderate breeze. We sailed west under full sail, 5° towards the south. According to my estimate, I covered about 41 1/2 leagues.

Sunday, March 31, 1754

The winds varied from east to NNE, a light wind. We sailed W1/4SW under full sail. According to my estimate, I covered about 24 leagues.

Monday, April 1, 1754

The winds varied from NNE to north, and from north became NNE again, a light wind. We sailed east under full sail, west 1/4SW, 5° towards the south. I covered 21 leagues.

Tuesday, April 2, 1754

The winds varied from NNE to NNW, a light calm wind. Over the 24 hours, we followed various courses under full sail. After making a reduction, I found that we were headed WSW, 2°20´ towards the west. According to my estimate, I covered about 14 leagues 50.

Wednesday, April 3, 1754

The winds varied from NNW to NE, a gentle breeze. Over the 24 hours, we followed various courses under full sail. After making a reduction, I found that I had maintained a SW1/4W course, 2°10´ towards the west. According to my estimate, I covered about 24 leagues.

Thursday, April 4, 1754

The winds varied from NE to north, a light calm wind. Over the 24 hours, we followed various courses under full sail and, after making a reduction, I found that I had maintained a WSW course, 4°30´ towards the west. According to my estimate, I covered about 19 leagues.

Friday, April 5, 1754

The winds varied from north to NW, a gentle breeze. Over the past 24 hours, we followed various courses under full sail. After making a reduction, I found that I had maintained a W1/4SW course, 3°20´ towards the south. According to my estimate, I covered about 16 leagues.

Saturday, April 6, 1754

The winds varied from NW to NNE, a moderate breeze. We followed various courses and trimmed the sails various ways. After making a reduction, I maintained a W1/4SW course, 31/2° towards the south. According to my estimate, I covered about 19 leagues 35´.

Palm Sunday, April 7, 1754

The winds varied from NNE to NW, a gentle breeze, good weather. We trimmed the sails various ways and followed various courses. After making a reduction, I maintained a WSW course, 1°15´ towards the south. According to my estimate, I covered about 17 leagues 30´.

Monday, April 8, 1754

The winds varied from NW to north. Over the past 24 hours, we had the foresail and the mainsail set, and followed various courses. After making a reduction, I maintained a SW1/4S course, 2° towards the west. According to my estimate, I covered about 15 leagues 55´.

Tuesday, April 9, 1754

The winds varied from north to south, a light calm wind. We trimmed the sails various ways and followed various courses. After making a reduction, I maintained a westerly course. According to my estimate, I covered about 11 leagues.

Wednesday, April 10, 1754

The winds varied from south to SE, a gentle breeze. We sailed west under full sail an estimated distance of about 16 leagues.