Sea Bags and Ditty Bags in the US Navy

Information from Steve Hesson in the Civil War Navy and Marine Yahoo e-Mail Group.

SEA BAGS

The seabags that were issued to sailors were usually 36 inches tall, 12 inches across and usually made of heavy canvas and closed with a single draw string.

Everything a sailor owned were to be stowed in the bag. I am really sure I couldn't get all my stuff into that amount of space.


DITTY BAGS

They were a smaller version of the sea bag standing 12 inches tall and 8 inches across. This is where sailors stored their personal items like tooth brush, comb, shaving kit and sewing gear.

So, a Sailor's Life for Me? --Old B-Runner