Black Tot Day – Where to go for a Tot

There will be a ‘Tot Time’ in the Sir Loin of Beef in Southsea from 1200. Organised by Ted Hawkins Portsmouth RNA

Or in The Ship Anso on the Hard in Portsmouth

Join us Thursday 31st to celebrate ‘Black tot day’ We have Shep Woolley with us from 1600 and lots of Rum. Black Tot Day, observed on July 31st, marks the end of the Royal Navy’s daily rum ration, which had been a tradition for over 300 years. This day is commemorated by naval personnel, maritime enthusiasts, and rum lovers worldwide. While the rum ration was officially abolished due to concerns about alcohol’s impact on modern naval operations, Black Tot Day remains a significant date in naval history and is still celebrated with events and rum-related tributes, according to the Secret Bottle Shop.    What is Black Tot Day? Black Tot Day refers to July 31, 1970, the last day the Royal Navy issued sailors a daily rum ration, also known as the “daily tot”. This tradition, which began in 1655, was a significant part of naval culture and was issued at 11:00 am after the call of “up spirits”. The decision to end the rum ration was driven by the increasing complexity of naval technology and the need for higher levels of discipline and efficiency, as alcohol consumption during duty hours was deemed unsafe.    How is it commemorated? Many sailors on that day wore black armbands and some even poured their last tot into the sea as a symbolic “burial” of the tradition. Today, Black Tot Day is remembered through commemorative events, special rum releases, and historical discussions. Many naval associations and rum enthusiasts organize events to honor the tradition and the legacy of the daily tot.    Black Tot Day on a Submarine While the rum ration was a tradition across the entire Royal Navy, submarines were also part of this practice. Sailors on submarines, like those on other naval vessels, received their daily tot until Black Tot Day. The end of the rum ration on submarines, as on all ships, marked a significant shift in naval culture and the way sailors lived and worked.    In essence, Black Tot Day is a historical event that marks the end of a long-standing tradition in the Royal Navy and is still celebrated today as a reminder of the rich naval history and the changing demands of modern naval operations