bruce d Posted December 26, 2020 Share #1 Posted December 26, 2020 Copied and pasted exactly as I found it: I of course have no first hand experience in these matters. Spruce Beer Vice Admiral Samuel Graves to Philip Stephens Preston Boston Sept. 22. 1775 "Sir … Being on the Subject of provisions it is indispensably become my Duty to represent to their Lordships that the custom of supplying New England Rum to his Majesty's Ships is in my humble opinion highly prejudicial to the State. The use of it destroys the Health and Faculties of the People and debilitates them surprizinzly [sic]. The Seamen always continue healthy and active when drinking spruce Beer; but in a few days after New England Rum is served, altough mixed with four or five Waters, the Hospital is crouded with sick, and those on board are pallid, weak, and incapable of doing half their Duty. I appeal to the Captains of the Squadron that this is always the Consequence of their Crews having New England Rum." Since 'spruce beer' is basically boiled and fermented wood, we can only imagine what qualities the New England Rum must have had to prompt this plea. Ho-Ho-Ho, Bruce Graves's Conduct, Vol. I, pp 130-132 [BM]. Transcribed by Lars Bruzelius Canute, mtaylor, jchbeiner and 5 others 3 5 Quote 🌻 STAY SAFE A model shipwright and an amateur historian are heads & tails of the same coin current builds: HMS Berwick 1775, 1/192 scratchbuild; a Slade 74 in the Navy Board style Mediator sloop, 1/48 - an 18th century transport scratchbuild French longboat - CAF - 1/48, on hold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex M Posted December 28, 2020 Share #2 Posted December 28, 2020 (edited) No wonder. I'm also always continue healthy and active when drinking Beer, and also not a fan of a Rum...🤣 Edited December 28, 2020 by Alex M bruce d, Canute and mtaylor 3 Quote Current build: HMS Sphynx, 20 gun ship launched in 1775 at Portsmouth, Hampshire. On the drawing board: HMS Anson, 64 gun third rate ship of the line, launched in 1781 at Plymouth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popeye2sea Posted December 28, 2020 Share #3 Posted December 28, 2020 I don't know... I always feel healthier after I have had my rum ration.🤨 Regards, Canute, bruce d and mtaylor 3 Quote Henry Laissez le bon temps rouler ! Current Build: Le Soleil Royal Completed Build: Amerigo Vespucci Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Cleek Posted December 28, 2020 Share #4 Posted December 28, 2020 Considering that in 1775 the beer ration was one gallon a day or eight pints, I find it hard to see how the admiral could say the half pint tot of spirits could be any worse! Then again, perhaps the beer was weak. The sailors would "prove" that their rum wasn't watered down by pouring a bit on some gunpowder and seeing if the gunpowder would still burn, which confirmed it was at least 57 percent alcohol, or, in other words, "114 Proof," which is pretty stiff stuff. They couldn't do that with beer. lmagna, Canute, mtaylor and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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