2007-07-20 17:37:58 · 8 answers · asked by Montego 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
The rum ration was a tradition passed on to us from our "Mother service" the British Navy. It was eliminated shortly after the Civil War because it was not consistent with the good order and discipline required of a Navy moving from sail to steam. The last traces of this tradition ended 1 June 1914 when the Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels issued General Order 99 which "dried up the fleet" and eliminated all drinking of alcohol aboard U.S. Navy ships and closed the Officer Wine Messes. His first name Jospehus led to coffee being nicknamed "Joe." This why a cup of coffee is often called a "cup of Joe" now by most of the coffee drinking world. The Royal Navy (our Mom) completely dried up in 1970. And what a shame that was because it was always great to visit British ships and share the comradery of being sailors. By regulation the only approved exception against drinking aboard a U.S. Navy ship is when the order to "Splice the Mainbrace" is given (another tradition passed to us from our "Mother"). It consists of a two beer per person ration. This order is traditionally given to U.S. Navy ships underway that have served for a certain number of consecutive days underway and at sea, significant holidays, or significant positive national events. Since the beer is not intended to be served aboard ship the usual procedure is to lower small boats load sailors in and let them drink their beers as they circle the ship. Or if you happen to be on an amphibious ship that is near shore then the C.O. might let them land on an unoccupied beach and drink their beers there. Some C.O.s might actual use their broad discretionary powers and, for "safety reasons", let it be done under close supervision on the fantail or in a welldeck - but most will do it one of the two ways previously mentioned. While the stated limit is two beers per person there are of course always those that do not drink beer who will slip their ration along to their shipmates.
2007-07-20 18:41:59 · answer #1 · answered by cwomo 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
British Navy Rum Ration
2016-11-07 09:23:01 · answer #2 · answered by Erika 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For the Navy it happened when the Chaplain at the Naval Academy in 1842 (Chaplain George T. Harris) wrote a letter to the Secretary of the Navy suggesting that coffee be substituted for the rum-laced grog. That system was reinforced shortly after World War One when a Secretary of the Navy, Josephus Daniels banned alcoholic beverages on Naval ships. He made that decision shortly after ratification of the 18th Amendment and before the Congress passed the Volstead Act to enforce prohibition. Secretary Daniels' decision remains the rule today, but those in the Navy who do drink will always wonder why we named a warship after him. LOL!
2007-07-20 19:16:16 · answer #3 · answered by desertviking_00 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They want their soldiers to be wired on caffeine and not drunk. That is the why. The made the switch as soon as we had the coffee to give the soldiers.
2007-07-20 17:42:38 · answer #4 · answered by eric l 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
according to this website, it ended on July 31st 1970. Why? I guess drunkenness among sailors isn't such a good idea with modern technology, nuclear reactors and such.
2007-07-20 17:44:12 · answer #5 · answered by maxnull 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
we get 2 beers a day. As much coffe as we want.
2007-07-20 17:44:33 · answer #6 · answered by flyboy 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
i likes coffie
2007-07-20 17:39:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Wow..didn't know they did!
2007-07-20 17:39:55 · answer #8 · answered by chicagoavonlady 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋