Why, and when, did the Royal Navy abandon the tradition or sailors drinking a tot of rum?
Rum Ration abolished 31 July 1970 There is no doubt that rum ration was a contributing factor to a considerable amount of “ill discipline” in the Royal Navy and it was perhaps the cause (directly and indirectly) of more major punishments than any other single factor. In later years the tot was often issued at the end of the working day, rather than at the traditional time of “Up Spirits” ie 1130-1200, for those working with machinery, such as flight crews and maintainers etc!
