A Tale of Grog

While alcohol consumption is truly part of the culture of the Navy specifically, and sailors the world over, the recent (last 50 years or so) shifts in attitude towards alcohol consumption have changed alot of the traditions within the naval service. This includes the drinking of " grog". But as a throw-back to those days, and the emphasis and value associated with alcohol, I present this folk tale, also provided on the Wikipedia entry:

The U.S.S. Constitution, as a combat vessel carried 48,600 gallons (184,000 l) of fresh water for her crew of 475 officers and men. This was sufficient to last six months of sustained operations at sea. She carried no evaporators (fresh water distillers). However, let it be noted that according to her log, "On July 27, 1798, the U.S.S. Constitution sailed from Boston with a full complement of 475 officers and men, 48,600 gallons (184,000 l) of fresh water, 7,400 cannon shot, 11,600 pounds (5,250 kg) of black powder and 79,400 gallons (300,500 l) of rum."

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 there 12 November. She provisioned with 550 pounds (250 kg) of beef and 64,300 gallons (243,400 l) of Portuguese wine. On 18 November, she set sail for England. In the ensuing days she defeated five British men-of-war and captured and scuttled 12 English merchantmen, salvaging only the rum aboard each.

By 26 January, her powder and shot were exhausted. Nevertheless, and though unarmed, she made a night raid up the Firth of Clyde in Scotland. Her landing party captured a whiskey distillery and transferred 40,000 gallons (151,400 l) of single malt Scotch aboard by dawn.

The U.S.S. 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 (146,100 l) of stagnant water.

Classic. You gotta love those navy guys...