Things we should know: The Rum Ration

[El Presidente]

It all appears eminently sensible to me 

 

 

 

 

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 to every sailor at midday. Senior ratings (petty officers and above) received their rum neat, whilst for junior ratings it was diluted with two parts of water to make three-eighths of an imperial pint (213 ml) of grog.[1] The rum ration was served from one particular barrel, also known as the "Rum Tub", which was ornately decorated and was made of oak and reinforced with brass bands with brass letters saying "The Queen, God Bless Her".

Not all sailors necessarily drew their rum: each had the option to be marked in the ship's books as "G" (for Grog) or "T" (for Temperance, if they were members of the Temperance Movement and do not drink alcohol). Sailors who opted to be "T" were given three pence (3d) a day instead of the rum ration, although most preferred the rum.[3] Sailors under 20 were not permitted a rum ration, and were marked on the ship's books as "UA" (Under Age).

The time when the rum ration was distributed was called "Up Spirits", which was between 11 am and 12 noon. A common cry from the sailors was "Stand fast the Holy Ghost". This was in response to the bosun's call "Up Spirits". Each mess had a "Rum Bosun" who would collect the rum from the officer responsible for measuring the right number of tots for each mess. The officers did not get a rum ration.

Tot glasses were kept separate from any other glasses. They were washed on the outside, but never inside, in the belief that residue of past tots would stick to the side of the glass and make the tot even stronger.

[Chas.Alpha]

Somehow, I seem to remember that this is also where the term "full measure" came from...

[WLC]

For some reason I thought that the rum ration was about 115 proof.  Guess I was wrong 

[dshot]

Ah yes the daily TOT! Sounds like we need some Pussers rum.

[CaptainQuintero]

Great video of the process I saw a few days ago

 

[Fuzz]

The RNZN kept up the tradition for another 20 years, finally calling Last Tot in 1990.

Surprisingly, the RAN stopped the rum ration back in 1921, but allowed Australian sailors to partake when serving on RN ships.

[Ken Gargett]

On 8/12/2021 at 7:39 AM, El Presidente said:

It all appears eminently sensible to me 

 

 

 

 

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 to every sailor at midday. Senior ratings (petty officers and above) received their rum neat, whilst for junior ratings it was diluted with two parts of water to make three-eighths of an imperial pint (213 ml) of grog.[1] The rum ration was served from one particular barrel, also known as the "Rum Tub", which was ornately decorated and was made of oak and reinforced with brass bands with brass letters saying "The Queen, God Bless Her".

Not all sailors necessarily drew their rum: each had the option to be marked in the ship's books as "G" (for Grog) or "T" (for Temperance, if they were members of the Temperance Movement and do not drink alcohol). Sailors who opted to be "T" were given three pence (3d) a day instead of the rum ration, although most preferred the rum.[3] Sailors under 20 were not permitted a rum ration, and were marked on the ship's books as "UA" (Under Age).

The time when the rum ration was distributed was called "Up Spirits", which was between 11 am and 12 noon. A common cry from the sailors was "Stand fast the Holy Ghost". This was in response to the bosun's call "Up Spirits". Each mess had a "Rum Bosun" who would collect the rum from the officer responsible for measuring the right number of tots for each mess. The officers did not get a rum ration.

Tot glasses were kept separate from any other glasses. They were washed on the outside, but never inside, in the belief that residue of past tots would stick to the side of the glass and make the tot even stronger.

unbelievable!!!!

you have stolen this, almost word perfect, from my next kenfessions!!!! 

[99call]

On 8/12/2021 at 7:39 AM, El Presidente said:

It all appears eminently sensible to me 

I remember reading a great passage about Captain Scott travelling back from the tropics on the lead up to either the Discovery or Terra Nova expeditions.  They had a right of passage for any sailor crossing the equator for the first time.  It was called something like 'Poseidons Crossing'. Basically they pulled a water proof sail on to deck, and filled it with see water, and soap sudds. All the men, got in, and you had to run the gauntlet form one side to the other, whilst getting battered by your mates.  Scott commented something to this effect of the days festivities:

"Much fun was had during the event, though I fear with a double ration given, the men appear to be rather too regaled with rum, one of the crew having his thumb bitten clean off"

Jesus!  

 

On 8/12/2021 at 4:14 PM, dshot said:

Sounds like we need some Pussers rum.

Yep, 

For anyone interested.  Pussers still do a nice tot minature, which has to be the prettiest of the all the minatures.  A lovely little gift/stocking filler

 

[El Presidente]

13 hours ago, Ken Gargett said:

unbelievable!!!!

you have stolen this, almost word perfect, from my next kenfessions!!!! 

......which means you have stolen it from Wikipedia 

You were the kid who use use to write all of his school assignments from Workd Book Encyclopedia/Encyclopedia Brittanica. 

[ChanceSchmerr]

On 8/11/2021 at 2:39 PM, El Presidente said:

It all appears eminently sensible to me 

. The officers did not get a rum ration.

I don't know mate, I'm not a fan of that particular proviso.....

The RCN held out a couple more years, but eliminated the Rum Ration here in 1972, to much dismay.  However, when it was done, the serving of alcohol (wine and beer) was permitted at sea for many years afterward, until just recently.

Don't get me started on the elimination of booze at sea....

[Ken Gargett]

On 8/14/2021 at 7:16 AM, El Presidente said:

......which means you have stolen it from Wikipedia 

You were the kid who use use to write all of his school assignments from Workd Book Encyclopedia/Encyclopedia Brittanica. 

i never touched a world book. we were 100% Britanica. 

what you mean is that whomsoever wrote the wikipedia entry and i presumably used the same first sources and researched in depth from these sources. 

or are you suggesting that the week after i send you the kenfessions piece about all this, suddenly it appears on the forum under your hand and you are claiming innocence. serpent's tooth if ever there was one! 

i will confess to some plagiarisation but it is only of myself. this was up on Q&P some time ago. 

https://quillandpad.com/2021/05/11/splice-the-mainbrace-pussers-rum-black-tot-day-and-the-end-of-a-royal-navy-tradition/

[Hookmaker]

i never touched a world book. we were 100% Britanica. 
what you mean is that whomsoever wrote the wikipedia entry and i presumably used the same first sources and researched in depth from these sources. 
or are you suggesting that the week after i send you the kenfessions piece about all this, suddenly it appears on the forum under your hand and you are claiming innocence. serpent's tooth if ever there was one! 
i will confess to some plagiarisation but it is only of myself. this was up on Q&P some time ago. 
https://quillandpad.com/2021/05/11/splice-the-mainbrace-pussers-rum-black-tot-day-and-the-end-of-a-royal-navy-tradition/

THIS is going to be interesting