Post by julianbest1 on Feb 1, 2010 13:38:14 GMT 1
Finally, let's return to the continuing story of navy rum with a letter from Robert Golding of Toronto. In 1944 he was called up to serve in the British Royal Navy while "UA" (or under age). The 20-year-olds could be "G" (for grog) or "T" (for temperance) if they did not care for the stuff. The latter received 3d (or three pence) per day in lieu of their tot, one ounce of neat rum.
As a rule, our informant writes, rum was mixed with an ounce of water on destroyers and two on the bigger ships; on small vessels and submarines, the crews of close-knit buddies got "neaters."
As he shares his own experiences and recollections, Golding tends to confirm what we have already learned on this subject. Apparently the "T" boys, once they got to sea, invariably switched immediately to "G"; even if they had not developed a taste for rum they found that their messmates could be most appreciative of a little extra. This resulted in the "T" boys always being sure of getting a willing sub for shore leave.
What Golding found amusing was the rum kettle, the metal bucket which the mess rum boatswain took up to the quarterdeck for dishing out each day's ration. On Saturday mornings the "Old Man" did his rounds. All the dishes and pots had to shine, including the rum kettle. This, we are assured, was a crying shame because the longer your kettle could survive without being washed the better the rum.
Immediately following Captain's Rounds on Saturday morning came the order "Rum bo'suns muster for rum!"
It was always amazing to see how many of those highly shone rum kettles had suddenly become beautifully aged. Experienced officers-of-the-day turned a blind eye, knowing that particular messes prized an old sweat who personally owned a kettle handed down by other old sweats.
Occasionally a new junior officer would be assigned to oversee the rum issue--no doubt forewarned with advice from knowing fellow wardroom officers that he should look out for mucky looking kettles and refuse to fill them until properly cleaned. Of course, within a few minutes the bo'sun would reappear with a very brightly shining kettle. Never again would Junior notice that a kettle was not "as required by their Lordships."
Apparently there were sailors who constantly invented ways of getting an extra tot, not infrequently claiming to have fallen off the gangplank or down a ladder.
The best excuse Golding ever witnessed came in 1946 while serving on His Majesty's Ship Pelican, a Mediterranean Fleet sloop with Captain Goodenough in command. They were berthed alongside in Grand Harbour, Malta. Rum was being issued on the quarterdeck, each sailor stepping up with his mug or cup or glass into which his ounce of lovely bubbly was measured. On such a beautiful day, the sailors mingled and chatted while savouring their beloved nectar. On one occasion, an inventive mate had obtained a small bottle into which he had poured an ounce of red vinegar. After downing his daily ration of rum he emptied the vinegar into his glass, scooped up a goodly measure of seagull poo, slid it down his glass and went back to the rum tub to show the officer-of-the-day what a terrible thing had happened.
"Oh my poor man. Go get another glass."
Thanks, cheers, up spirits concludes our comrade or matelot.
Just thought that this might be of intrest to all you Shipbuilders!