During the Age of Sail, Did It Happen That a Ship Was Stuck in the Doldrums So Long That the Crew Died of Hunger and Thirst?
The doldrums, a region of the ocean near the equator known for weak winds and strong currents, was a dreaded hazard for sailors in the age of sail. Ships could become trapped for weeks or even months, with their sails hanging limp and their progress halted. However, there is no known historical record of a ship's crew perishing from starvation or thirst due to being stuck in the doldrums.
While ships could indeed become becalmed for extended periods, they carried provisions sufficient for several months. Additionally, many sailors were skilled fishermen and could supplement their supplies with fish caught from the sea.
The lack of wind could pose other challenges, such as the buildup of disease or the deterioration of the ship's hull. However, it was not typically a death sentence for the crew.
Related Questions:
- What is the name of the region of the ocean near the equator known for weak winds? Answer: Doldrums
- Were ships likely to be stuck in the doldrums for days or months? Answer: Months
- Why were sailors not likely to starve to death in the doldrums? Answer: They had provisions and could fish
- What could happen to a ship's crew besides starvation if stuck in the doldrums? Answer: Disease or hull deterioration
- Did any ships ever sink due to being stuck in the doldrums? Answer: No known historical record exists
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