Navy Grog

Rum abolished 1st August 1970

The previous page was: "Life's Clock"

Rum and the Royal Navy or Navy Grog, whatever you like to call it has gone from the messdecks of H.M. Ships and it will never return, not as a daily tot anyway. It could in some places still be used to 'Splice the Mainbrace' to celebrate a special event.

While I was visiting one of my old haunts, from fifty-years past, the 'Minerva Inn' reputedly the oldest in the City of Plymouth. Inside hanging on the walls are the pictures of all the vessels that have served under the name 'Minerva' in the Royal Navy. I could not remember them being there before.

When I was stationed in the Royal Marine Commando barracks outside of Plymouth, and I went for a run-ashore, the Minerva Inn was a place I would frequent; before going down the Barbican for a pint or two.

I would have a couple half-pints of strong sweet cider. It was cheaper than a pint of beer, in those days many people would drink the rough cider all night, because of the price. Some would have orange top and others would have lemonade tops to enhance the taste.

Life's Clock

A Cider House selling sweet cider

At the time the Minerva was a Cider House they sold a very unusual sweet cider that was so strong they only sold it by the half pint. When I visited it, this time and saw the change, which there has obviously been many since it opened its doors in 1540 exactly 400 years before I was born.

It didn't feel quite the same as when it was a scrumpy house, the signs would have you believe they have been there for a long time. But I do not remember them like they are today-Quality Largers, Fine Wines & Spirits-were not the drinks of olde matelots with only a few coppers to spare; and we have to remember, that was all they and I did have.

I served the full time that I signed-up for and I did not regret one moment of my military life. The reason I mention my time is; every Royal Navy ship I served on I received a tot. I served on H.M.S. Tiger 1959/60 as a member of the Royal Marine Detachment. We picked the ship up from John Brown's Yard, Clydebank, Glasgow.

U.S.S. Chilton and H.M.S. Chilton

I also had the privilege on many other Royal Navy ships, mostly Commando Carriers, and the anti-piracy ships we used in the South China Seas. There I had the unusual experince of being aboard H.M.S. Chilton a minesweeper; earlier in my career I had been on board U.S.S. Chilton an American Troop Carrier, which was a dry ship.

But it was nice to have been aboard two ships from two different Navies where the ship's name were practically the same.

Needless to say I have experienced the 'tot time moments' while in its hay-day; and I have experienced 'Splicing the Mainbrace' on more than one occasion. Therefore I believe I have some right to display a little bit about the history of Grog.

When I visited the Minerva Inn I was handed Pamphlet No.2 by Plymouth's Maritime Heritage, which I found very interesting. When I purchased a copper measure in the Barbican I was given a sheet of paper Manufactured by Maritime Momentos, which I also found interesting.

Obviously because of my experience some of the facts were known to me, but I have to admit not all them, and some of them I had forgotten anyway. So I would like to take this opportunity to thank Maritime Momentoes for reminding me and informing me of what I did not know.

Their intention was to make people aware of this tiny piece of history I hope I can help them even if it is in a tiny way.

RUM and the ROYAL NAVY

For well over three hundred years the Royal Navy dispensed Pussers Rum. It was first introduced into the Navy around 1655 (not long before the Marines were formed in 1664) on the West Indies station as an alternative to beer which did not keep.

By 1731 Rum was firmly established as a 'provision'.

The story of Rum is largely one of social change. Drunkenness was rife and should wonder at it, a half-pint of 95%+ proof rum, usually of dubious quality being the daily ration at that time.

"GROG"

That formidable Dragon, 'Drunkenness' described by Admiral Vernon was inconsistent with good order and Naval discipline.

After due consultations with his Captains and surgeons, he issued a written order on 21st August 1740 at Port Royal, Jamaica, to introduce the practice of mixing water with the rum at the rate of 4 to 1.

The British seamen was not long in naming this new concoction after Vernon. He was known as 'Old Grog from the Grogram boat cloak', he wore on the quarterdeck when the weather was bad, hence watered down rum became known as 'Grog'.

For nearly 200 years after his order it was a point of constant grievance as to how much water was added. Not until 1937 was a formula known as 2 and 1, finally established, i.e., 1/8 pint of rum mixed in 1/4 pint of water which by then was the ration.

Chief Petty Officers and Petty Officers always received their rum 'Neat', a well guarded privilege.

Agnes Weston

During the Victorian era, an active member of the Temperance league and philanthropist Agnes Weston's great concern for destitute and poor seamen.

She established Seamen's Missions affectionately known as 'Aggies' and offered twice the Admiralty monetary allowance for signing her pledge of abstinence.

Abolition

The rum ration was finally abolished on 1st August 1970 for much the same reason as the introduction of Grog. It was not conductive to good order and Naval discipline and the efficiency of the men in a highly modern Navy.

The long awaited mutiny did not occur

Pussers

A corruption of the word Purser. Anything issued by or purchased from the Purser was termed Pussers.

Rum Tub

The vessel used for mixing the rum and the water in originally described by Admiral Vernon as a Scuttle Butt.

Copper Measures

Copper measures were used at the rum tub when dispensing the daily 'tot' to the mess 'cooks' who collected the mess rations at noon.

The measures used was calculated by the numbers on the mess. There are seven measures, ranging from 1 gallon to 1/2 a gill, the quantity of rum that finally emerged as a daily ration.

Modern-day Pages Fast Boats Pages Joe Wezley Pages

'Splice the Mainbrace'

Originally an extra ration for undertaking that most ardous of tasks, splicing the mainbrace.

It came to mean an extra ration issued in order to celebrate a special event such as a Royal Birth. The next Link below will be: "Regeneration"

Navy Grog Regeneration

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