Roger
on December 17, 2023
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The drinks provided to sailors could vary from country to country, but grog made with rum was quite common. However, each navy had its own practices. Here are some examples:
- Royal Navy: Grog was a commonly given drink, consisting of diluted rum, water, lemon juice, and sometimes sugar.
- U.S. Navy: In the United States, the navy also used grog, similar to the British practice. The specific composition could vary, but it often involved diluting rum with water and adding ingredients to enhance the taste or provide nutrients.
- Marine Royale & Marine Nationale (after 1792) - French Navy: Wine was often distributed to sailors. In the West Indies or other distant waters, they also had "tafia", a coarse brandy, made from the molasses obtained during the extraction of cane sugar.
- Armada Española - Spanish Navy: Red wine and water were common components of the drink ration.
- Nederlandse Marine - Dutch Navy: Jenever, a type of gin, was sometimes used in the Dutch navy.
- Marina Italiana - Italian Navy: Wine was a frequently provided beverage.
Dietary and beverage practices varied based on available local resources and traditions specific to each navy.
I'm sure that some of you will be able to tell us exactly how much alcohol each sailor was served each day.
It seems incredible nowadays to consume so much alcohol every day for years on end, even if it was mixed with water.
But let's not forget that in those days water, even on land, was so unhygienic and a source of disease that it was perhaps even better to drink alcohol than water to avoid falling ill. It was natural for even very young children to be completely alcoholic by the time they were 10.
Pic: 18th Century Royal Navy grog barrel with coat of arms
Dimension: 797 x 1024
File Size: 140.4 Kb
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