TonyH Posted July 10, 2011 Report Share Posted July 10, 2011 This was forwarded onto me & I thought I would pass it on.... enjoy & possibly learn something newSailors and Rum England conquered Jamaica in 1655, and an enterprising local captain started issuing a daily ration of rum to his sailors, instead of the official Royal Navy beer ration of a gallon a day.The Royal Navy took over officially in 1740. From that date, each sailor in the Service was issued with half a pint of strong rum each day, half at noon, half at sunset. Before and after a battle, double rations were issued.It was issued neat for a few years, but (oddly enough) some sailors stored up their rations, and then got completely blotto on them. So from 1756, the standard “grog” rum was issued – 2 parts water to 1 part rum, mixed with lime or lemon juice, and cinnamon. It’s thought that the nickname “limey” comes from this practice of adding citrus juice to the rum, a habit which combated scurvy. The Up Spirit Ritual - The issuing of the rum ration became an elaborate ceremony. At 11am, the boatswain’s mate piped the tune “Up Spirits”, and a procession ladled out the rum, into portions for the more senior, and the rest mixed with water (etc) for the ratings.At midday, the boatswain’s mate piped the tune, “Muster for Rum”, and the crew came and got their half-pints of grog. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the officers’ rum rations were accompanied by toasts – first the Loyal Toast (to the King or Queen) followed by a different toast for each day of the week: Monday, “Our ships at sea” Tuesday, “Our men”Wednesday, “Ourselves”Thursday, “A bloody war, and quick promotion”Friday, “A willing soul and sea room”Saturday, “Sweethearts and wives, may they never meet”Sunday, “Absent friends, and those at sea”On 31st July 1970, the last rum was issued to ratings – on a day known as “Black Tot Day”. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickA Posted July 11, 2011 Report Share Posted July 11, 2011 ARRR there mateyYou be breakin my copyright rules there matey.the fine will be 1 bottle of black RN rum delivered to me by 2 dusky madens or if you cant find em,then 2 slightly dirty white ones.Captin Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyH Posted July 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2011 Good one Rick.... Thought it was to good to hit the delete button onCheersTony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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