Rum ration

The practice of compulsorily diluting rum in the proportion of half a pint to one quart of water (1:4) was first introduced in 1740 by Admiral Edward Vernon (known as Old Grog, because of his habitual grogram cloak).

In 1795 Navy regulations required adding small quantities of lemon or lime juice to the ration, to prevent scurvy.

[13] In 1970, Admiral Peter Hill-Norton abolished the rum ration as he felt it could have led to sailors failing a breathalyser test and being less capable to manage complex machinery.

[14] This decision to end the rum ration was made after the Secretary of State for Defence had taken opinions from several ranks of the Navy.

There were reports that the day involved sailors throwing tots into the sea and the staging of a mock funeral in a training camp.

[2] In place of the rum ration, sailors were allowed to buy three one-half imperial pint (280 ml) cans of beer a day and improved recreational facilities.

[17] Rum rations are also given on special occasions: in recent years, examples included the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Navy in 2010 and after the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012.