1970: Black Tot Day (End of the Royal Navy Rum Ration)

On 31 July 1970, ITN's Peter Sissons reported from HMS Albion in Portsmouth Harbour as sailors drank their last ration - or "tot" - of rum.
Sailors in the Royal Navy had been given a daily ration of rum for 239 years, though the quantity had reduced over time. Finally, in 1970, the tot was scrapped altogether - partly to save money, partly to modernise the Royal Navy.
Junior rates lost their rum ration entirely, Petty officers, however, were still allowed to drink spirits at lunchtime - a policy which, as Peter Sissons found out, was causing some disquiet in the ranks...
#BlackTotDay #RoyalNavy #Quirky
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[@Militaria-pr9rj]

The Royal New Zealand Navy held out until 1990!

[@Ron-u1z]

Im ex Royal Navy 85/92 and got a tot 3 times when I was in the mob. Twice when the queen ordered, SPLICE THE MAIN BRACE , and another when the first sea Lord and some naval anniversary happened. But me being a lowly AB(m) got it with 2 parts water. POs and above got it NEATERS. The couple of 3 badgemen of the gunners mess asked for ,SIPPERS , but took GULPERS. Great days.

[@perdix99]

Can you tell me what the proof of the real RN rum was? Can you buy anything like it in the civilian world? My father was ex RN - well RNVR to be precise, as he was a very young surgeon Lt in WW2 and used to come out with expressions like 'sippers' and 'Out pipes, hands carry on with the work' until the day he died.

[@tsuddes]

I was there, Jock Brownlee, Tom Sawyer, Jock Kirkpatrick (3D9 mess), I remember it well.

[@notmenotme614]

1:21 “Theys shoulds see howz we’s work after weeeez ad our rum, weeez works better. Hic “ 🤪🍹

[@charleswhinney3008]

I left the Andrew in 1968 so didn't have to suffer the deprivation. Gone Sippers, Gulpers, Half a Tot, Full Tot. What favours could be obtained by them !!!!

[@notmenotme614]

When my Grandfather was in the Royal Navy at the time of the run ration, he was under 18 years old. So he still didn’t get to drink any !

[@TheRealist2022]

@notmenotme614 Those not of age, and those that chose not to drink alcohol, got orange or lemon powder.

[@_ArsNova]

Always sad to see a time honored tradition pass. Saw many go in just the short time I was a cadet.

[@marklchapman2785]

God, I miss the 70s so much 👍🇬🇧

[@vincethewhat1362]

I’ve tasted this rum unlike anything else I’ve ever had

[@summerrr1]

Good or bad?

[@ElizabethII-1952]

Women: I can’t be he didn’t cry during titanic, do men even have feelings? Where men cried

[@l33trich1]

Love it

[@DaveBrickWall]

Don't forget Nick Carter and Joe Ham Tom

[@maggiel.516]

The RCN stopped theirs two years later I think. Sad day.

[@macadaweg3219]

this is where wokeism began.

[@davedraycott5779]

Yawn

[@MasterControl-MCP]

@@davedraycott5779you can yawn soy boy

[@johnallen7807]

The beginning of the "woke" RN?

[@morgs456]

Prehaps