US Navy: That's the Spirits!

[Mr. G]

For several reasons, soon to be evident, I still am uncertain of the authenticity of this historical anecdote.

Nevertheless, somehow, 'faith' isn't quite so foreign a concept after this:

"The USS Constitution (also known as "Old Ironsides") as a combat vessel carried 48,600 gallons of fresh water for her crew of 475 officers and men. This was sufficient to last 6 months of sustained operations. She carried no evaporators."

However, let it be noted that according to her log "On July 1798, the USS Constitution set sail from Boston. She left with 475 officers and men, 48,600 gallons of fresh water, 7,400 cannon shot, 11,600 pounds of black powder and 79,400 gallons of rum. ( more rum than water ) Her mission: To destroy and harass English shipping.

Making Jamaica on 6 October, she took on 826 pounds of flour and 68,300 gallons of rum. Then she headed for the Azores, arriving on 12 November. She provisioned with 550 pounds of beef and 64,300 gallons of Portuguese wine. On 18 November she set sail for England. In the ensuing days she defeated five British men-of-war and captured scuttled 12 English merchantmen salvaging only the rum. By 26 January her powder and shot was exhausted.

Unarmed, she made a night raid up the Firth of Clyde. Her landing party captured a whiskey distillery and transferred 40,000 gallons aboard by dawn. Then she headed home.

The USS Constitution arrived in Boston on 20 February, 1799 with no cannon shot, no food, no powder, no rum, no wine, no whiskey and 38,600 gallons of stagnant water."

You've Got To Fight, For Your Right, To Party --Beastie Boys

 

[Lykan]

LOL

 

[Adam]

When we were provisioning my ship in the navy, we generally took on board three pallets (big flat wooden bases loaded up, carried on forklifts) of beer. Generally one of Fosters, one of Victoria Bitter, and one of Toohey's Red, I think. The rule was "Two cans per sailor, per day, perhaps", at the Captain's discretion. Since a few TV news claimed all sailors in the RAN were alcoholics a few months ago, that rule has been scrapped, and RAN ships no longer take on beer.

 

[A4Ever]

Since a few TV news claimed all sailors in the RAN were alcoholics a few months ago, that rule has been scrapped, and RAN ships no longer take on beer.

Now I understand your avatar

 

[MRC_Hans]

Heheh, well this is like the old sailor at the party, who entertained a lady telling tall tales about his sailing days. At some point he said:

"And there we were, 500 miles from the nearest land and out of rhum"

"Oh dear," said the lady, "and no fresh water either?"

-- "Well, sure, we had plenty of water, but what use is it to take a bath in a situation like that?"

Hans