Ever wondered what Black Tot means, and what does it have to do with sailors? Well, let’s do a quick overview of this very important day marked in the rum year calendar. This July 31st national day commemorates the end to rum rationing on the British Royal Navy. Before this day, sailors received a daily ration (known as a tot) of rum. This tradition of rum rationing has been traced back to 1655!
So why were sailors given rum to drink whilst carrying out naval duties? Well, the rum played a crucial role in maintaining the morale and wellbeing of the sailors whilst at sea for extended periods of time, as the work was gruling and monotonous. However, the sailors were first allocated beer, but this spoiled during long sea voyages, so rum became the tot of choice due to having higher ABV so did not spoil, was cheaper and was believed to have medicinal properties that when mixed with lemon, prevented the sailors from developing scurvy due to lack of vitamin C.
In 1731 a new regulation was put in place that officially allowed beer to be replaced with rum as the sailor’s tot. It allocated each sailor with half an imperial pint of rum. The rum was ordered to be watered down to avoid drunkenness and was later dubbed grog.
But all good things must come to an end, and it was decided that it was not good for sailors to be under the influence and lack of discipline and efficiency caused by alcohol. So came the abolishment of the rum rationing. On July 31st, 1970 the Royal Navy ceased the rum tot and thus became Black Tot Day.
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