Grog
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As the Royal Navy began exploring more of the oceans the issue of liquid for drinking became more and more an issue. Most ships carried casks of [[beer]] and water in the 1650's, with the sailors' daily beer ration approximately a gallon each. Longer voyages required more and more space to stow beer and water that tended to spoil quickly as algae grew in the casks. To make the water taste better, sailors would often mix their beer and water rations together. | As the Royal Navy began exploring more of the oceans the issue of liquid for drinking became more and more an issue. Most ships carried casks of [[beer]] and water in the 1650's, with the sailors' daily beer ration approximately a gallon each. Longer voyages required more and more space to stow beer and water that tended to spoil quickly as algae grew in the casks. To make the water taste better, sailors would often mix their beer and water rations together. | ||
| - | The capture of [[Jamaica]] by [[Vice | + | The capture of [[Jamaica]] by [[Vice Admiral William Penn]], in 1655 also led to the availability of [[rum]] and in 1731 a half pint of undiluted rum was considered equal to the gallon ration of beer for sailors at sea in the [[West Indies]] only, though regulations were later changed to allow the rum ration to all ships. In waters close to England, beer was still normally served. In the [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]], the men could be served wine and other spirits could be substituted if rum was unavailable on a mission to the far side of the world. |
| - | Credit for the invention of grog itself is given to [[Vice | + | Credit for the invention of grog itself is given to [[Vice Admiral]] [[Edward Vernon]], who felt the undisciplined and drunken nature of his crew was the direct result of the rum ration. In August of 1740, he ordered the rum to be mixed with water on deck in the presence of the [[lieutenant]] of the watch; some sources suggest that a little sugar was added to make the mixture more palatable. Later to counter the affects of [[Lexicon:scurvy]] on the crews, lime or lemon juice was also added to the mixture. Vernon was known as "Old Grog" either from his wearing of a grogram cloak, or possibly his taste for rum. The word "grog" is recorded in use as Jamaican slang years before Vernon developed the practice of diluting the rum. |
== Mixing grog == | == Mixing grog == | ||
| - | Admiral Vernon's mixture was simply one quart of water to a half pint of rum, a four to one ratio. Some admirals mixed a three to one ratio and [[Lord Keith|Admiral Keith]] issued grog in a five to one ratio. In the Canon [[Jack Aubrey]] sometimes orders defaulters to have six water grog as a minor punishment. | + | Admiral Vernon's mixture was simply one quart of water to a half pint of rum, a four to one ratio. Some admirals mixed a three to one ratio and [[Lord Keith|Admiral Keith]] issued grog in a five to one ratio. |
| + | |||
| + | == In the Canon == | ||
| + | [[Jack Aubrey]] sometimes orders defaulters to have six water grog as a minor punishment. | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
Revision as of 02:34, 21 June 2007
The daily grog ration was of highest importance to the sailors under Jack Aubrey's command. It was stopped as a punishment for lesser crimes or rewarded for services rendered above the call of duty. To Dr. Maturin's dismay it was an immemorial custom of the service until 1970 in the Royal Navy.
Contents |
History
As the Royal Navy began exploring more of the oceans the issue of liquid for drinking became more and more an issue. Most ships carried casks of beer and water in the 1650's, with the sailors' daily beer ration approximately a gallon each. Longer voyages required more and more space to stow beer and water that tended to spoil quickly as algae grew in the casks. To make the water taste better, sailors would often mix their beer and water rations together.
The capture of Jamaica by Vice Admiral William Penn, in 1655 also led to the availability of rum and in 1731 a half pint of undiluted rum was considered equal to the gallon ration of beer for sailors at sea in the West Indies only, though regulations were later changed to allow the rum ration to all ships. In waters close to England, beer was still normally served. In the Mediterranean, the men could be served wine and other spirits could be substituted if rum was unavailable on a mission to the far side of the world.
Credit for the invention of grog itself is given to Vice Admiral Edward Vernon, who felt the undisciplined and drunken nature of his crew was the direct result of the rum ration. In August of 1740, he ordered the rum to be mixed with water on deck in the presence of the lieutenant of the watch; some sources suggest that a little sugar was added to make the mixture more palatable. Later to counter the affects of Lexicon:scurvy on the crews, lime or lemon juice was also added to the mixture. Vernon was known as "Old Grog" either from his wearing of a grogram cloak, or possibly his taste for rum. The word "grog" is recorded in use as Jamaican slang years before Vernon developed the practice of diluting the rum.
Mixing grog
Admiral Vernon's mixture was simply one quart of water to a half pint of rum, a four to one ratio. Some admirals mixed a three to one ratio and Admiral Keith issued grog in a five to one ratio.
In the Canon
Jack Aubrey sometimes orders defaulters to have six water grog as a minor punishment.
References
- A short history of grog Retrieved July 8, 2005.
- Wikipedia:Grog Retrieved July 8, 2005.
