Black Tot Day: When the rum ration expires

On Black Tot Day, the 54th anniversary of the official daily rum ration’s elimination, sailors worldwide will raise a glass to commemorate the termination of a 230-year-old Royal Navy institution.

What is the purpose of Black Tot Day?

The celebration honors the tradition of providing sailors with a daily tot of rum.

Transition to Annual Event

The centuries-old custom became an annual event when the Royal Navy discontinued Black Tot Day in 1970 as part of its modernization effort.

Rationale Behind the Change

Many sailors regretted the decision, but officials believed that seamen operating sophisticated, multimillion-pound weaponry, systems, and machinery shouldn’t consume strong spirits.

Creation of Black Tot Day

Because Royal Navy sailors value their traditions and ceremonial rituals, the Royal Navy created Black Tot Day as a farewell salute with a tot of rum. This event has since evolved into an annual occasion, marking the end of the legendary daily routine.

Black Tot: The final shipment

Former Commodore Alistair Halliday of the Royal Navy noted that the termination of the custom in the 1970s was a sad day.

When the daily rum ration finished, Alistair, a young guy at the time, remembered it as a dismal day for sailors.

He recalls how sailors delivered a somber show at the Royal Tournament, which was, until its conclusion in 1999 due to a Strategic Defense Review, the largest military tattoo and pageant in the world. It was like reading the last rites of the rum culture.

“They had a gun carriage display with a rum barrel on it,” he stated.

“It was like a funeral.”

From that point on, July 31 was observed annually as Black Tot Day in remembrance of the rum ration. “It appears it was a dark day for the Navy,” Alistair continued.

Rationing with rum in the Royal Navy

Sailors have received rum rations since the 1600s, but Admiral Edward Vernon formalized the practice in 1740. He directed that sailors receive a half-pint of rum each day, diluted with one part rum to four parts water and divided into two servings.

Daily Ritual

Sailors have gathered between 1100 and 1200 hours every day for “Up Spirits,” where they received their allotted tot of rum. The ration was about a quarter of a pint.

Purpose and Benefits

Rum served not only as a remedy for the elderly but also as a morale booster and payment for sailors’ arduous manual labor on board. In the early days, sailors received rum mixed with lime juice to help prevent scurvy.

Evolution of the Custom

Over time, the custom evolved. Senior sailors received their ration neat, while junior sailors received a mixture of rum and water, known as “Gro.” Although sharing rum rations was forbidden, stories circulated about sailors stockpiling rum for their evening drinks.

Challenges and Abolition

In the 19th century, the custom faced near abolition on several occasions but managed to persist through the decades. In the 1970s, MP Christopher Mayhew questioned the relevance of rum rations for modern Royal Navy sailors. The Admiralty eventually decided that daily rum was no longer necessary.

Reasons for Change

“There were more sophisticated systems in place and less of the really hard manual labor,” Alistair stated. “It was decided that it should be scrapped.” When sailors received their rum, officials often monitored them. The rum was a strong blend, with roughly 55% alcohol by volume.

Modern Tradition

Today, Pussers Rum, the Royal Navy’s preferred spirit, is used for the annual Up Spirits event, including the anniversary Black Tot Day on July 31. It has an alcohol content of almost 40%. Alistair recalled sampling some leftover rum from the original rations during his stay in Gibraltar in the 1980s and described it as “absolutely delicious.”

Current Practices

Instead of rum, sailors now have the option to purchase up to three cans of beer for consumption off-duty. Commanding officers can still award rum to sailors for their hard work; Alistair remembered doing this during his time as HMS Manchester’s captain.

Global Trends

Other navies quickly abandoned the daily rum ration tradition, with the Royal Canadian Navy ending it in 1972. The Royal New Zealand Navy continued the tradition until 1990.

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The article image is courtesy of Oddrose on Canva