On 18/06/14 21:11, Timothy Collinson wrote:
> On 17 June 2014 23:02, Kelly St. Clair <xxxxxx@efn.org> wrote:
>> If we are to consider the level of accomodations available at TL 8 and
>> circa -2500, may I ask whether the crew is also allowed a rum ration to
>> keep their water potable, and sufficient citrus to ward off the scurvy?
>>
>
> Well, I'd not thought of a rum ration but I might add it.  Not to keep the
> water potable though.  Did non-military ships in the age of sail have this
> tradition as well as the navy?  (I say the age of sail, I'm pretty sure my
> Dad used to get a rum ration still...)

Entirely possible - the Royal Navy only stopped the daily rum ration on
July 31st, 1970.  And yes, civilian ships in the age of sail did have a
daily rum ration as well.

David Shaw