On July 31st 1970, one of the longest standing traditions in the British navy came to an end – the distribution of a daily tot of rum to sailors on board ship. This day went down in naval history as Black Tot Day.
The sailor’s ration before 1731 was a gallon of beer a day but for reasons which are unclear in that year, half a pint of rum was made equivalent to the gallon of beer. This does sound like a lot although in those days the life of the sailor was hard and physical and rum gave him a good source of calories and energy. Even so, due to drunkenness the ration was ordered to be mixed with water to the ratio of a quart of water to half a pint of rum and doled out in two instalments each day. In 1740 the ration was further diluted with sugar and lime. This process led to the British being known as limeys and also, unknowingly at first helped to reduce the cases of scurvy in the British navy due to the daily intake of vitamin c!
The daily ration of rum was pre-empted by the routine pipe of ‘Up Spirit’. The officers, however, had an additional ritual featuring toasts. This was to first raise a glass to the reigning monarch followed by:
On Monday “Our ships at sea”
On Tuesday “Our men”
On Wednesday “Ourselves”
On Thursday “A bloody war and quick promotion”
On Friday “A willing soul and sea room”
On Saturday “Sweethearts and wives, may they never meet”
On Sunday “Absent friends and those at sea”
*When that terrible day of 31st July 1970 finally dawned, the navy determined to make it a day to remember and according to the Portsmouth Evening News ‘sailors said farewell to the last issue of Nelson’s Blood, (as rum was known in the navy), by conducting mock funerals and wearing black armbands...The annual Christmas pudding stirring ceremony in HMS Bellerophon was brought forward today so that the usual four pints of rum could be included in the 150lb mix.’
The Post Office too was persuaded that the occasion deserved a special stamp which was made available at the Portsmouth General Post Office and on it was written ‘Last Issue of Rum in the Royal Navy July 31, 1970’. These have now become collectors’ items. All around the world British naval ships performed some final act of remembrance sounding the daily routine pipe of Up Spirit for the last time.
Nowadays Black Tot Day passes without even a mention, in fact in a survey, 95% of people questioned said that they had never heard of it. However, Woods 100 Old Navy Rum is determined to change that. This year we are celebrating Britain’s naval heritage and all the influences that still affect our day to day life. In a survey we found that 75% of people agree that the navy has had an impact on our heritage and an even higher number, 84%, said that Britain’s naval heritage is important. According to 74% of people our naval heritage should be celebrated! So let’s do it, let’s raise a glass to the navy and all it’s given us – well known and everyday sayings, tattoos and an excuse to admire David Beckham, flared trousers (love them or hate them), toasts (what happier sound is there but cheers!) and a great respect for rum!
*information sourced from Nelson’s Blood – the Story of Naval Rum by Captain James Pack OBE RN
The sailor’s ration before 1731 was a gallon of beer a day but for reasons which are unclear in that year, half a pint of rum was made equivalent to the gallon of beer. This does sound like a lot although in those days the life of the sailor was hard and physical and rum gave him a good source of calories and energy. Even so, due to drunkenness the ration was ordered to be mixed with water to the ratio of a quart of water to half a pint of rum and doled out in two instalments each day. In 1740 the ration was further diluted with sugar and lime. This process led to the British being known as limeys and also, unknowingly at first helped to reduce the cases of scurvy in the British navy due to the daily intake of vitamin c!
The daily ration of rum was pre-empted by the routine pipe of ‘Up Spirit’. The officers, however, had an additional ritual featuring toasts. This was to first raise a glass to the reigning monarch followed by:
On Monday “Our ships at sea”
On Tuesday “Our men”
On Wednesday “Ourselves”
On Thursday “A bloody war and quick promotion”
On Friday “A willing soul and sea room”
On Saturday “Sweethearts and wives, may they never meet”
On Sunday “Absent friends and those at sea”
*When that terrible day of 31st July 1970 finally dawned, the navy determined to make it a day to remember and according to the Portsmouth Evening News ‘sailors said farewell to the last issue of Nelson’s Blood, (as rum was known in the navy), by conducting mock funerals and wearing black armbands...The annual Christmas pudding stirring ceremony in HMS Bellerophon was brought forward today so that the usual four pints of rum could be included in the 150lb mix.’
The Post Office too was persuaded that the occasion deserved a special stamp which was made available at the Portsmouth General Post Office and on it was written ‘Last Issue of Rum in the Royal Navy July 31, 1970’. These have now become collectors’ items. All around the world British naval ships performed some final act of remembrance sounding the daily routine pipe of Up Spirit for the last time.
Nowadays Black Tot Day passes without even a mention, in fact in a survey, 95% of people questioned said that they had never heard of it. However, Woods 100 Old Navy Rum is determined to change that. This year we are celebrating Britain’s naval heritage and all the influences that still affect our day to day life. In a survey we found that 75% of people agree that the navy has had an impact on our heritage and an even higher number, 84%, said that Britain’s naval heritage is important. According to 74% of people our naval heritage should be celebrated! So let’s do it, let’s raise a glass to the navy and all it’s given us – well known and everyday sayings, tattoos and an excuse to admire David Beckham, flared trousers (love them or hate them), toasts (what happier sound is there but cheers!) and a great respect for rum!
*information sourced from Nelson’s Blood – the Story of Naval Rum by Captain James Pack OBE RN
