Скачать или смотреть 31th July 1970: Black Tot Day sees the British Royal Navy issue the last daily rum ration to sailors

A daily ration of rum, sometimes referred to as ‘grog’, had been part of a British sailors’ routine since 1655 when a half-pint measure of the spirit was introduced as a way to reduce the amount of space needed to transport pint rations of beer. The drink was issued at 6 bells in the forenoon watch, or 11am, and was marked by the call ‘Up Spirits’. Due to its high alcoholic content, the size of the ration gradually decreased to an eighth of a pint of rum (70ml) per day by 1850.

As the technological systems and equipment on board ships became more and more complex, concerns over sailors drinking alcohol were raised. In December 1969 the Admiralty Board, which meets in order to administer the Royal Navy, published a written statement that said issuing rum was ‘no longer compatible with the high standards of efficiency required’.

The following month the ‘Great Rum Debate’ took place in the House of Commons during which MP James Wellbeloved put forward a passionate argument that rum helped sailors to ‘face the coming action with greater strength and greater determination’. His argument didn’t convince his fellow MPs, however, who voted that the rum ration should end.

On Black Tot Day itself the last pouring of rum was marked with funerary significance as some sailors wore black armbands or, in the case of the Royal Naval Electrical College, by conducting a mock funeral procession.