Black Tot Day memorialises the day on which the Royal Navy discontinued its daily rum ration, known as the daily tot. "Round the world" in every ship of the Royal Navy, glasses were raised in their final salute, and it's no exaggeration to say, that at that moment, many a strong man shed a tear at the passing of a tradition so old and fine, that was to be no more. But, pockets of men still continue this tradition today in Port Elizabeth - the Due North Rum Club, based at the Algoa Bay Yacht … [Read more...] about 31 July 1970 – Black Tot Day
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To Us And None Like Us – TUANLU
In the name of international comradeship and fellowship with those who love the sea - "To Us And None Like Us" The Algoa Bay Yacht Club (ABYC) based Due North Rum Club held their annual Black Tot ceremony at the Prince Alfred's Guards drill hall on 2 August 2014. As Commodore of the Algoa Bay Yacht Club I was invited to attend this annual ceremony held to commemorate the demise of the naval rum ration on 31 July 1970. We then sat down to a "Christmas Lunch" and five tots of neat double … [Read more...] about To Us And None Like Us – TUANLU
Sweethearts and Wives, May they never meet
The Algoa Bay Yacht Club (ABYC) based Due North Rum Club held their annual Black Tot ceremony at the Prince Alfred's Guards drill hall on 2 August 2014. This ceremony is held annually to commemorate the demise of the naval rum ration on 31 July 1970. In true naval fashion the colours of the Due North Rum Club are raised and lowered to half mast by Brett Momberg (notice the Pongo like fastening of the Halyard!) and piped by John Scott. We then sat down to a "Christmas Lunch" and five … [Read more...] about Sweethearts and Wives, May they never meet
The Mourning of the Black Tot – Yo Ho Ho and Bottle of Rum
On Saturday 10 August, the Due North Rum Club graciously invited me to the Prince Alfred's Guards Headquarters in Central to celebrate their Christmas Lunch, which was also held to mourn the passing of the Black Tot. Black Tot Day (31 July 1970) is the name given to the last day on which the Royal Navy issued sailors with a daily rum ration (the daily tot). The final rum ration was poured as usual at 6 bells in the forenoon watch (11am) after the pipe of 'up spirits'. Some sailors wore black … [Read more...] about The Mourning of the Black Tot – Yo Ho Ho and Bottle of Rum
