I found in the The Gentleman’s Magazine the following interesting text, published in the topic recruiting and how wonderful the live was on board the frigate Leander and at Halifax Station.
“Who would enter for a Small Craft, when the Ship Leander, the finest and fastest-sailing Frigate in the World, with a good spar deck over head to keep you dry, warm, and comfortable; and a lower deck like a barn, where you may play at leapfrog when the hammocks are hung: up : has room for 100 active, smart Seamen, &c. This whacking, double-banked Frigate is fitting at Woolwich, to be flag-ship on the fine, healthy, full-bellied Halifax station, where you may get a bushel of potatoes for a shilling, a cod fish for a biscuit, and a glass c.1 boatswain's grog for twopence. The Officers' cabins are building on the main deck, to give every Tar a double birth below. Lots of leave on shore. Dancing and fiddling on board; and four pounds of tobacco served nut every month. A few strapping fellows who would eat an Enemy alive, wanted for the Admiral's barge. Every good man is almost certain of being made a warrant Officer, or getting a snug birth in Halifax Dock-yard. Gou save the Kings! The Leander, and a full-bellied station!!”
Source
The Gentleman’s Magazine and historical chronicle. From July to December 1815. Vol. 18., p. 408. London, 1815.
