Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004
"The Queen God Bless Her" The Royal Navy Rum Ration.
The Royal Navy 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. 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).
Sailors who opted to be "T" were given three pence (3d) a day instead of the rum ration, although most preferred the rum.
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. Sailors under 20 were not permitted a rum ration, and were marked on the ship's books as "UA" (Under Age).
The rum ration was abolished in 1970 over concerns that it might lead to accidents! (Information from Wikipedia.)
This photograph was taken on Navy Days 2004 - one of the Heritage Centre's early open days.
