The moral economy on board Portuguese ships in the 18th century: rights in decline and the struggle for their maintenance

Abstract

Based on the notion of moral economy, used by E. P. Thompson in his studies about 18th century English society, I approach the relationships between sailors and officers or owners of Portuguese merchant ships from the same period. Particularly, the issue of declining rights is addressed, including liberdades (freedoms) or gasalhados, that is, the right of sailors to embark goods without paying freight to dispose of them in commercial relationships at

stopovers or at the final destination of sea voyages. The decline of these rights, in positive and customary terms, led to a continuous struggle for their maintenance, as well as for the preservation of other achievements by sea workers: fair evaluation at work, consistent and equal remuneration in different functions, treatment of health when necessary, the provision of materials for daily use when boarding and drink and food suitable for consumption by those on board.