3BadgeMarine
03-10-03, 07:24 AM
In the year 1970,a shattering blow was struck at British Naval Tradition when the sailor's and Marines daily rum ration was abolished.with it also went a number of long standing customs.Beer had for many years constituted an integral part of the sailor's and Marines official daily ration.But in the days of sailing warships two problems had to be overcome: that of finding enough room on board to stow the liquor,and its keeping qualities.In 1665 when Jamaica was captured by Admiral Penn rum soon began to supercede Brandy and beer.It was cheap and easy to obtain and improved with keeping.This inovation achieved rapid acceptance in the British fleet.But in those days the spirit was issued neat,and drunkeness became so rife in the ships of the West Indies squadron that the Commander-in-chief,Vice Admiral Edward Vernon decreed that the daily allowance of half pint per man is to be mixed with a quart of water in one scuttled butt? kept for that purpose,and to be mixed on the upper deck,and in the presence of the Lieutenant of the watch.The dilution henceforth became know as 'Grog' Because of the Admirals nickname of 'Old Grog'.After Trafalgar it also became know as 'Nelson's Blood',Since it was commonly believed on the lower deck that after his death the body of Lord Nelson was conveyed back to the UK inside a barrel of neat rum to preserve it,and that the spirit was tapped by the Marine sentries keeping watch over it. and ever since the 'tot' of rum as been called Nelson's Blood.Aye JR.ps It must of worked well It's preserved me.