Why did the Royal Navy drink rum?
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In 1740, Admiral Edward Vernon introduced a concoction of watered-down rum mixed with sugar and lime juice. This “grog” was supposed to reduce drunkenness, but many sailors saved their rations for drinking sprees.
Does rum help with scurvy?
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.
Why do pirates prefer rum?
Rum, distilled from sugar, however, was cheaper to transport and so became a staple export. This meant that many of the ships attacked by pirates were laden with barrels of rum, ripe for the taking. They could be sold for a pretty price, but pirates tended to drink a fair chunk of this kind of loot.
Why did sailors drink gin?
Historically, it was believed that gin would be able to fight off diseases like malaria and scurvy. Gin was mainly for officers, while sailors were given rum. Here they can be seen crowded round the wooden and brass barrel awaiting their daily issue during the ‘up spirits’ ceremony.
How much rum did sailors get?
How much rum did sailors drink? From around 1655, a pint of rum was the usual ration handed to each sailor in the Royal Navy. It was served every day, half at 12 noon and the second half at about 5 or 6pm (though the amount decreased in following years).
Do Navy submarines have alcohol?
“Although alcohol is available on board Royal Navy ships and submarines, its consumption is extremely limited and the RN’s promotion of healthy living, coupled with the professionalism of modern sailors, means that fewer sailors drink at sea than ever before,” he added.
July 1, 1914
On July 1, 1914, the U.S. Navy implemented the cruelest and most unusual punishment in its venerable history: a ban on alcohol.
How much rum did a sailor get?
Did pirates drink rum straight?
Back in the day, long-haul pirates and the sailors of the British Royal Navy didn’t just use rum for recreation. Of course, sailors and pirates didn’t just drink rum straight. To make it more palatable, they would mix it with a bit of water to make grog; or water, sugar, and nutmeg (to make bumbo).
What is grog pirate?
Pirate’s Grog is the award winning golden rum that was originally discovered on Roatán, a small Caribbean island situated 60km off the coast of Honduras. The name ‘Pirate’s Grog’ is derived from days of old when pirates and buccaneers used the island as a resting point between voyages.
A big reason that the Royal Navy encouraged the rum ration was related to scurvy–an ailment that was common to sailors, who didn’t get much fresh produce that contained Vitamin C. Don’t get confused, though: Rum doesn’t naturally contain Vitamin C in any meaningful quantity.
Why do Pirates drink rum?
Back in the day, long-haul pirates and the sailors of the British Royal Navy didn’t just use rum for recreation. To keep the crew hydrated, ships typically stored three types of liquid sustenance: water, beer, and rum.
In the United States Navy, the daily ration was one-half US pint (240 ml) of distilled spirits until 1842, when it was reduced to one gill (120 ml). It was abolished in 1862. While the Royal Australian Navy never issued the rum ration, their sailors were entitled to the rum ration when they were on Royal Navy ships until 1921.
What are the disadvantages of drinking rum?
One obvious drawback: Rum tends to cause intoxication. In fact, until 1970 ( 1970! ), the British Navy gave sailors a daily ration of rum, called a “tot”.