What was the rum ration in the British navy?

The rum ration, or "tot", from 1850 to 1970 consisted of one-eighth of an imperial pint (71 ml) of rum at 95.5 proof (54.6% ABV), given out at midday.

How much rum did British sailors get?

In the 18th century, each sailor was allotted half an Imperial pint of rum a day, which translates to about ten ounces.

When did the Royal Navy stop the rum ration?

The Day Rum Rations Ended

On July 31, 1970, now known as Black Tot Day, naval sailors enjoyed their last daily tot ration. Many wore black armbands and poured their ration into the sea as a symbolic "burial" of the much-loved tradition.

What beverage did the British navy stop giving out with rations in 1970?

A special stamp was issued, available from Portsmouth General Post Office, with the slogan "Last Issue of Rum to the Royal Navy 31 July 1970". Black Tot Day was subsequently followed in two other Commonwealth navies (the Royal Australian Navy having already discontinued the rum ration, in 1921):

What rum did the Royal Navy drink?

Pusser's Gunpowder Proof is an authentic recreation of the high proof rum served on Royal Navy ships for more than three centuries. It is a blend of rums from Trinidad and Guyana.

A talk on the rum rations in the Royal Navy

How big was a tot of rum?

Tradition. The rum ration, or "tot", from 1850 to 1970 consisted of one-eighth of an imperial pint (71 ml) of rum at 95.5 proof (54.6% ABV), given out at midday.

What is a ration of grog?

British ships

Until the grog ration was discontinued in 1970, Royal Navy rum was 95.5 proof, or 54.6% alcohol by volume; the usual ration was an eighth of a pint, diluted 2:1 with water (3:1 until World War II).

Why did sailors drink so much?

– Grog is a concoction of rum, water and citrus juice that was originally drunk by British sailors and adopted by the U.S. Navy as a way to make stagnant water more palatable and to fight scurvy. Someone who is dazed or sleepy might feel as if they have had too much grog, making them “groggy.”

Why did sailors get rum rations?

In the early days of the rations, rum was laced with lime juice to help keep scurvy at bay. The tradition developed over the years, later becoming a daily tradition in which junior sailors were served a ration mixed with water, known as 'Grog' while seniors were served it neat.

Who supplied rum to the Royal Navy?

This created a demand for a consistent blend, and in 1784 James Man (ED&F Man) was awarded a contract to start supplying the Royal Navy with rum, something this company did all the way up until Black Tot Day in 1970.

Can you drink in the Royal Navy?

The Navy allows personnel to consume no more than 35mg of alcohol per 100ml when they are on safety-critical duty, the same as the UK drink-drive limit. For personnel handling weapons the limit is 9mg per 100ml.

Why is rum called Nelsons blood?

Why is rum called 'Nelson's Blood? Legend has it that Pusser's Rum is sometimes referred to as 'Nelson's Blood', because after the great Admiral Nelson's death at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, in which his body was preserved in a cask of spirits, holes were drilled into the sides and the liquid drained.

What does Pussers mean?

(ˈpɜːsə ) noun. an officer aboard a passenger ship, merchant ship, or aircraft who keeps the accounts and attends to the welfare of the passengers.

What is the main ingredient in navy rum?

To produce rum, distillers use a variety of fermentation, distillation, mixing, and aging methods, but all rum share two similarities. Firstly, it must be distilled from a sugar base, be it fermented sugarcane juice, sugar syrup, molasses, or any other liquid derived from sugarcane.

What rum did pirates drink?

What Kind Of Rum Is In Pirates Of The Caribbean? Pirate's Grog is a gold rum that was discovered on Roatán, a small Caribbean island 60 kilometers off the coast of Honduras, and has won numerous awards.

Does rum fight scurvy?

A well-known mariner's beverage, grog, is made up of sugar water, lime juice, and rum. It is used by pirates to prevent scurvy.

How much rum a day is good for you?

Drinking too much alcohol can be harmful to your health, including your brain. Therefore, you should consume Rum only in limited amounts (up to one and a half ounces per day). This will reduce your risk.

What did sailors drink to prevent scurvy?

From 1795 onward, three-quarters of an ounce of lemon juice per day was mandated to be given to every sailor serving throughout the Royal Navy, nearly banishing scurvy at a stroke. Blane ordered that it be mixed into grog to guarantee its consumption.

Why did sailors drink grog?

The sailors, to put it lightly, were not pleased. They needed to throw liquor down their throats because it made it a lot more tolerable to deal with awful living conditions and endless scrubbing of the poop deck. So, in their spite, they started to call the drink “grog,” after Old Grog himself.

Why did sailors have bell bottom pants?

Although no one has been officially accredited with inventing the bell bottom trouser, the flared out look was introduced for sailors to wear in 1817. The new design was made to allow the young men who washed down the ship's deck to roll their pant legs up above their knees to protect the material.

What do sailors say when they drink?

On a sailor's birthday, his shipmates might share their ration with him and tell him how much they were allowing him to take by saying: “Sippers” (just a sip), “gulpers” (a gulp) or “sandy bottoms” (drink it all).

Is there beer on Navy ships?

U.S. Navy sailors cannot drink beer on ships unless they have been at sea for 45 continuous days without a port call. The captain may then request permission from the fleet commander to have a "beer day" at which each sailor is allowed two cans of beer. However, exceptions have been made.

What did old time sailors drink?

During the Age of Exploration (15th to 18th century), the British Royal Navy would stock up on food, weak beer (1 to 3 % ABV), brandy, and water for their long voyages. Each sailor was provided a ration of one gallon a day of combined alcohol and water.

What is a navy rum?

Navy rum—traditionally, a rum blend featuring rums from Guyana, Jamaica, Barbados, and Trinidad—was once given to sailors by the Royal British Navy as daily rations or “tots”. That is until 31st July 1970 now known as Black Tot Day. Try in your next Grog or Painkiller.

Why do Royal Marines drink port?

If a crew hears this order, they're issued with an alcoholic drink. It came to symbolise the celebration that followed the successful completion of one of the most difficult repairs on a sailing ship.