Black Tot Day, observed on July 31, 1970, marks the end of a centuries-old tradition in the Royal Navy. On this day, sailors received their final rum ration, affectionately known as the “daily tot” ¹².

Here’s a historical overview of the daily drink ration for English sailors:

• 17th Century: Sailors were allotted a gallon of beer (approximately four litres) as their daily drink. However, due to storage challenges, rum gradually replaced beer. A half pint (284 ml) of rum became the preferred choice .
• 19th Century: The tot size was halved to one-quarter of an imperial pint (142 ml) to address discipline issues. Later, it was further reduced to one-eighth of an imperial pint (71 ml) per day, eliminating the evening serving.
• 20th Century: In 1969, the Admiralty Board decided that the rum ration was no longer compatible with the demands of modern naval tasks. The “Great Rum Debate” ensued in the House of Commons, resulting in the decision to end the tradition. On July 31, 1970, the final tots of rum were distributed, and sailors bid farewell to this long-standing practice.

Despite an extra can of beer added to their daily rations, the move was met with mixed feelings among the ratings. Some sailors even wore black armbands, and mock funeral processions were held in certain naval establishments.

Thus, Black Tot Day remains a significant milestone in naval history, marking the end of an era when sailors raised their tots in camaraderie and tradition.