Greetings From The UK
With Special Thanks To Cdr. Collins RN For The Photographs
Splice The Mainbrace with Pusser's Rum
Mid music file...Who's Going To Take Me Home?
Mid music file...Who's Going To Take Me Home?
It is impossible to be historically accurate prior to circa 1650, but it is generally believed that sailors on a British "Man-O-War" ship were issued a gallon of beer each day. Certainly this issue would have made life on board the sailing galleon a little more bearable. No one is sure of the strength of the beer issue, but I feel it is safe to assume that the strength would vary from fleet to fleet and port to port.
In 1650, Admiral Blake recognised the stowage difficulties of so much beer on long voyages, and introduced brandy as a replacement to the beer issue. Some references confirm the beer or brandy issue, but it would appear not to be a beer and brandy issue.
Following the conquest of Jamaica in 1687, brandy was replaced with a rum issue that was to last for close on 300 years. It is thought that about this time the tradition of "Splice the Mainbrace" was born. Here after heavy damage at sea or in the aftermath of a battle, the ship would need repair to ensure its sea worthiness. If the main mast or other braces snapped off, they had to be repaired with a rope splice. No mean feat in those days. After such arduous activity, the crew would be rewarded with a double rum issue.
At this time, the ship's Purser was responsible for all food, drink and wages that the sailors relied upon. Drunken sailors (even today) are well known for their difficulties in enunciating words clearly and precisely. Therefore Purser became "Pusser" and "Pusser's Rum" was born. Even today the word "Pusser" is used to describe anything that belongs to the Royal Navy.
Having experienced problems from his crew of drunken sailors, Admiral Edward Vernon ordered in 1740 that the rum ration for the Royal Navy be diluted with water. Admiral Vernon was renowned for wearing a waterproof coat made from Grogram (From The French Gros Grain) and was therefore nicknamed Greg or Grog. Rum was diluted by adding one quart of water to each half pint of rum. This diluted issue became know immediately as "Grog" a term that remains to this day. Overindulgent sailors became "Groggy", hence a new word was now added to the English language. This rum ration was issued to each man twice per day (midday and evening).
Drunkenness was a big problem in the Royal Navy, contributing to a large percentage of the punishments dished out. The amount of alcohol available to the average sailor was a contributory factor to the number of men injured (often fatally) with accidents at sea. The incidence of insanity in the Royal Navy was far higher than the population as a whole. Given the work they did in dangerous conditions, falling, crush injuries and drowning were almost unavoidable consequences for the unwary sailor.
The evening issue was abolished in 1824, leaving just one issue per day, traditionally issued at 8 bells, just before the midday meal.
In 1850 the rum ration was halved to one eighth of a pint (a gill) per man per day, watered down at the rate of three-parts water to one-part rum. Petty Officers received their rum ration neat (not watered down), a tradition that was to stay until 1970.
Also, in 1850, Grog money was paid to teetotallers at a rate of one shilling and 7 pennies per month. This principle was to last until 1970.
Rum issue to the wardroom and gun-room officers was abolished in 1881, and in 1919 Grog money for teetotallers was increased to 3 pennies per day.
There can be no doubt that the "Pusser's Rum Ration" (known as a tot) was the cause of crime and resultant punishments within the Royal Navy much more than any other single factor. It did however have compensating factors when food was poor making it more palatable. When the messdeck was damp, noisy and smelt foul, you could be sure of a good afternoons "kip" (sleep) after completing the middle watch.
With the advent of a modern navy with its inherent technology, the rum ration had to go and on the 31st of July 1970 the last tot was issued. I have my own personal engraved tankard to commemorate the loss.
Beer issue continues to this day and petty officers' messes are allowed limited spirits. In my day professional sailors did not drink at sea, but still enjoy "Up Channel Night" (last night at sea before entering a UK port) and were known to "let their hair down" in the odd foreign port. The tradition of "Splice The Mainbrace" continues to this day. Queen Elizabeth II ordered "Splice The Mainbrace" when the future King, Prince William was born.
Not a lot of people knows that.... as Michael Caine would say
In 1650, Admiral Blake recognised the stowage difficulties of so much beer on long voyages, and introduced brandy as a replacement to the beer issue. Some references confirm the beer or brandy issue, but it would appear not to be a beer and brandy issue.
Following the conquest of Jamaica in 1687, brandy was replaced with a rum issue that was to last for close on 300 years. It is thought that about this time the tradition of "Splice the Mainbrace" was born. Here after heavy damage at sea or in the aftermath of a battle, the ship would need repair to ensure its sea worthiness. If the main mast or other braces snapped off, they had to be repaired with a rope splice. No mean feat in those days. After such arduous activity, the crew would be rewarded with a double rum issue.
At this time, the ship's Purser was responsible for all food, drink and wages that the sailors relied upon. Drunken sailors (even today) are well known for their difficulties in enunciating words clearly and precisely. Therefore Purser became "Pusser" and "Pusser's Rum" was born. Even today the word "Pusser" is used to describe anything that belongs to the Royal Navy.
Having experienced problems from his crew of drunken sailors, Admiral Edward Vernon ordered in 1740 that the rum ration for the Royal Navy be diluted with water. Admiral Vernon was renowned for wearing a waterproof coat made from Grogram (From The French Gros Grain) and was therefore nicknamed Greg or Grog. Rum was diluted by adding one quart of water to each half pint of rum. This diluted issue became know immediately as "Grog" a term that remains to this day. Overindulgent sailors became "Groggy", hence a new word was now added to the English language. This rum ration was issued to each man twice per day (midday and evening).
Drunkenness was a big problem in the Royal Navy, contributing to a large percentage of the punishments dished out. The amount of alcohol available to the average sailor was a contributory factor to the number of men injured (often fatally) with accidents at sea. The incidence of insanity in the Royal Navy was far higher than the population as a whole. Given the work they did in dangerous conditions, falling, crush injuries and drowning were almost unavoidable consequences for the unwary sailor.
The evening issue was abolished in 1824, leaving just one issue per day, traditionally issued at 8 bells, just before the midday meal.
In 1850 the rum ration was halved to one eighth of a pint (a gill) per man per day, watered down at the rate of three-parts water to one-part rum. Petty Officers received their rum ration neat (not watered down), a tradition that was to stay until 1970.
Also, in 1850, Grog money was paid to teetotallers at a rate of one shilling and 7 pennies per month. This principle was to last until 1970.
Rum issue to the wardroom and gun-room officers was abolished in 1881, and in 1919 Grog money for teetotallers was increased to 3 pennies per day.
There can be no doubt that the "Pusser's Rum Ration" (known as a tot) was the cause of crime and resultant punishments within the Royal Navy much more than any other single factor. It did however have compensating factors when food was poor making it more palatable. When the messdeck was damp, noisy and smelt foul, you could be sure of a good afternoons "kip" (sleep) after completing the middle watch.
With the advent of a modern navy with its inherent technology, the rum ration had to go and on the 31st of July 1970 the last tot was issued. I have my own personal engraved tankard to commemorate the loss.
Beer issue continues to this day and petty officers' messes are allowed limited spirits. In my day professional sailors did not drink at sea, but still enjoy "Up Channel Night" (last night at sea before entering a UK port) and were known to "let their hair down" in the odd foreign port. The tradition of "Splice The Mainbrace" continues to this day. Queen Elizabeth II ordered "Splice The Mainbrace" when the future King, Prince William was born.
Not a lot of people knows that.... as Michael Caine would say
Simply Steve
