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.

[@ancientmariner3077]

I drew my tot from 67 until it finished. It was much more than just a drink but a form of currency on the lower deck.

[@alexanderkarayannis6425]

Some famous Captains tried imposing restrictions on their crew's grog ration as a form of collective punishment, for serious offences like sedition, or refusing to obey orders orders and such like...(James Cook, William Bligh, among them) A sailor would feel the same sense of injustice and outrage at even a small reduction of his grog ration, as he would if he got short changed at the Bank today...Ships logs were also peppered with records of floggings for stealing rum, brandy or indeed whatever else was available to supplement the daily grog ration.

[@richardsawyer5428]

Could grog be classed as a cocktail? Rum, sugar, lime juice and water. Beer was also carried on many ships as it didn't go brackish compared to drinking water, thus was considered "clean".

[@flipperplace9555]

Nicely explain I like u r voice

[@minibus9]

I find it surprising that this happpend just 52 years ago, having said that my thinking could just be by modern standards

[@cadetmarine]

Same day as my birthday July 31 ☺️