Ship biscuit meaning

Ship biscuit is a type of hardtack that was commonly used as a staple food on long sea voyages.


Ship biscuit definitions

Word backwards pihs tiucsib
Part of speech Noun
Syllabic division ship bis-cuit
Plural The plural of ship biscuit is ship biscuits.
Total letters 11
Vogais (2) i,u
Consonants (6) s,h,p,b,c,t

Ship Biscuit: A Staple of Maritime Provisions

Ship biscuit, also known as hardtack or sea biscuit, has been a staple in maritime provisions for centuries. These sturdy, durable crackers have a long shelf life and were a reliable source of sustenance for sailors on long voyages at sea.

Ship biscuit is a simple type of bread made from flour, water, and salt. The dough is rolled out, cut into squares, and then baked until dry and hard. This process removes all moisture from the biscuit, allowing it to last for months or even years without spoiling.

Because of its long shelf life and resistance to mold, ship biscuit was the perfect food for long sea voyages where fresh food was scarce. Sailors would eat ship biscuit on its own or sometimes dunk it in water or soup to soften it before consuming.

Despite its practicality, ship biscuit had a reputation for being tough on the teeth. Sailors often joked that they needed strong jaws to chew through the hard crackers. Some sailors even used ship biscuit as makeshift tools, using them to scrub pots or even as ammunition during battles.

Today, ship biscuit is no longer a primary food source for sailors, thanks to modern refrigeration and food preservation techniques. However, it still holds a place in maritime history as a symbol of endurance and survival at sea.

Whether you call it ship biscuit, hardtack, or sea biscuit, these sturdy crackers have played an essential role in maritime history and the lives of sailors around the world.


Ship biscuit Examples

  1. The sailors stored ship biscuit in barrels for their long journey.
  2. During the pirate raid, the crew survived on ship biscuit when their food supplies ran out.
  3. Ship biscuit was a staple food item for sailors in the 18th century.
  4. After being soaked in water or soup, ship biscuit became edible and easier to consume.
  5. Ship biscuit was often infested with weevils due to poor storage conditions on board ships.
  6. The captain rationed out ship biscuit to the crew to make sure they had enough food for the voyage.
  7. Despite its hardness, ship biscuit was prized for its long shelf life and durability at sea.
  8. Sailors would sometimes dip ship biscuit in rum to soften it before eating.
  9. Ship biscuit was a simple and practical food option for naval fleets during wartime.
  10. Many sailors developed a taste for ship biscuit and found it comforting during rough voyages.


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  • Updated 17/05/2024 - 13:02:13