The British Navy began providing sailors with a daily ration of rum in the mid-1700s, which became known as a ″tot″ (literally, ″tote″).For more than two centuries, the practice was carried on, during which time the Royal Navy rose to become the most formidable armada in the world, whether by coincidence or design.What kind of proof does navy strength rum have?Navy Strength: 54.5 percent ABV (Average Body Volume).
Admiral Edward Vernon produced a combination of watered-down rum blended with sugar and lime juice in 1740, which became known as the ″Rum Punch.″ This ‘grog’ was designed to help sailors avoid becoming intoxicated, but many sailors used their rations to go on drinking sprees.
When did the British start rationing rum to sailors?
Beginning in the mid-1700s, sailors in the British Navy were provided with a daily ration of rum, referred to as a ″tot.″ For more than two centuries, the practice was carried on, during which time the Royal Navy rose to become the most formidable armada in the world, whether by coincidence or design.
Did you take advantage of the daily rum ration in the Navy?
The British Navy began providing sailors with a daily ration of rum in the mid-1700s, which came to be known as a ″tot,″ or ″tote.″ For more than two centuries, the practice was carried out, during which time the Royal Navy rose to become the most formidable fleet on the planet, whether by coincidence or design.
When was the last rum ration in the UK?
The last rum ration was served on July 31, 1970, and the day was dubbed ″Black Tot Day″ because sailors were dissatisfied with the loss of the rum ration. According to accounts, sailors participated in a fake burial in a training camp and threw tots into the sea.
What is a rum ration?
Sailors serving aboard Royal Navy ships were given a daily amount of rum known as the rum ration (also known as tot).
How much rum did British sailors get?
In the 18th century, each sailor was permitted to consume half an Imperial pint of rum every day, which equates to around ten ounces of alcohol.
When did the Navy serve its rum?
In the years 1655 through 1970, sailors were provided with one tot of rum each day. In 1970, the rationing was lifted completely. Originally, it was served to sailors straight up when the beer supply ran low (water was not safe to drink as it became rancid very quickly at sea and it was often taken from polluted rivers, such as the Thames).
What was the daily rum ration?
Tradition. Tots were handed out at midday during the whole of the nineteenth century. From 1850 to 1970, one-eighth of an imperial pint (71 ml) of rum at 95.5 proof (54.6 percent alcohol by volume) was given out.
Why did British sailors drink rum?
Spirits such as rum or brandy (which the sailors were fed for a period of time) preserved their flavor and did not deteriorate, making them the sole delectable treat the sailors could have in a day.
How much was a navy rum ration?
From around 1655 till the present, a pint of rum was the standard ration given to each sailor in the Royal Navy. It was served every day, half around 12 o’clock in the afternoon and the other half at approximately 5 or 6 p.m. (though the amount decreased in following years). ‘Pusser’s Rum’ was the name given to the rum ration.
Do British sailors still get rum?
On July 31, 1970, the Royal Navy put an end to a long-standing tradition when the daily ration of rum was discontinued owing to safety concerns. A last tot is poured at the Royal Naval Dockyard in Chatham, Kent, by Lieutenant Commander Michael Johns. The members of the crew donned black armbands to commemorate the end of a long-standing practice.
Why is it called navy rum?
Because of the Royal Navy, it’s a designation that’s most strongly connected with rum and gin than anything else. Rum was available since it was a daily ration for all sailors, regardless of rank. Gin was included because naval commanders have enjoyed it since the Napoleonic Wars and forward.
Why did sailors drink so much?
During the days of sailing ships, sailors labored around the clock to keep the ship moving, with only the odd pause for a spell of high-seas dread to break up the monotony. A drink gave much needed relief, and because they were so severely underpaid, they were also provided with liquor rations as part of their compensation.
Is Sailor Jerry a rum?
THE DRINKS. Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum was created after extensive historical study into the world of maritime rums was conducted. Our rum has a rich, smooth taste that is distinguished by top notes of vanilla and cinnamon, thanks to the all-natural spices and flavors we selected.
Why did Pirates drink rum?
Scurvy, the flu, and tension were all prevented or alleviated by drinking it, according to pirate legend. Rum was relatively affordable, and it soon gained popularity with sailors and members of the pirate culture alike. In reality, maritime explorers and conquerors began drinking it in large amounts as early as the 15th century.
What is Lamb’s navy rum made from?
Lamb’s Navy Rum is a combination of 18 Caribbean rums from islands such as Guyana, Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago that are aged in oak barrels. Alfred Lamb, the 22-year-old son of English wine and alcohol mogul William Lamb, developed the formula in 1849 when he was just 22.
Did sailors drink whiskey?
Whiskey has also made its way into folk ballads and sea shanties, among other places. Even more than rum (which was produced on plantations by wealthy individuals), whiskey (which was frequently produced on the spot by the poor) was considered a drink for rebels. The most famous song about the drink, ″Whiskey in the Jar,″ was a song about a highwayman, and it was written by Bob Dylan.
Do sailors still get scurvy?
In the American Civil War, sailors died from scurvy at a rate that was more than three times higher than the number of soldiers slain. Today, we understand that this awful illness, which devastated both the body and the psyche, was caused by a chronic vitamin C deficiency, which was exacerbated by a scarcity of fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the epidemic.
Did sailors drink water?
The easy answer, at least in the case of European seafarers, is that they didn’t. Sailing ships of the era sailed to sea with large barrels in their hulls, which were used to contain liquids for consumption.