The rum ration (also called the tot) was a daily amount of rum given to sailors on Royal Navy ships. It was abolished in 1970 after concerns that the intake of strong alcohol would lead to unsteady hands when working machinery.

  • Tar_Alcaran@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    12·
    4 months ago

    Ratings were instead allowed to purchase beer, and the amount allowed was determined, according to the MP David Owen, by the amount of space available for stowing the extra beer in ships

    I’ll bet there was a LARGE difference of opinion on that amount.

      • AllNewTypeFace@leminal.spaceEnglish
        12·
        4 months ago

        As Winston Churchill reportedly commented, the traditions of the Royal Navy could be summed up as “rum, sodomy and the lash”.

        When Admiral Nelson was killed, they placed his body in a cask of rum to preserve it for the trip back. By the time the ship returned to dock, all the rum was gone. After this, taking a measure of rum became known as “tapping the Admiral”.

        • Clay_pidgin@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
          10·
          4 months ago

          “a drop of Nelson’s blood” is a common refrain in English sea shanties.

          In some of my favorite books, the Aubrey-Maturin series, Dr. Maturin has an asp preserved in alcohol and the seamen sneak in and drink it off!

          • Atelopus-zeteki@kbin.run
            5·
            4 months ago

            “Oh a drop of Nelson’s blood wouldn’t do us any harm!” “And we’ll all hang on behind” “As we roll the old chariot along”

              • Plum@lemmy.worldMEnglish
                3·
                4 months ago

                I love this so much. The first time I saw this version I watched it ten times in a row and cried a little.

              • Atelopus-zeteki@kbin.run
                3·
                4 months ago

                I am a member of The High Desert Seamen, a group that sings sea shanties and wassailing songs on 12/24 each year. Roll The Old Chariot is one of our songs. We add new verses in every year. David Coffin, in this viddie is truly inspiring. He has much to teach us all.

                • Clay_pidgin@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
                  1·
                  4 months ago

                  He’s been very active on tiktok too, singing different versions of these old songs, taking requests, and singing with others. I don’t know anything about his personal life, but in shanties he’s awesome.

                  My top shantyman, though, is Tom Lewis. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqUNwvOLzpk

                  Your group sounds awesome! I have always loved shanties and sea-songs; I should look for a local group that takes random idiots.