High noon is rum time on the ships of the British Navy in temperate waters, from the dreadnaught Nelson to the little tug St. Abbs. In the tropics rum hour is 6 p. m. Then the seamen hear the quartermaster pipe, "Up spirits!" Down in the mess the caterer slops into each seaman's "basin" (bowl) one part rum in three parts water. The rum is mixed in a large tub around whose rim, in brass letters, are the words: "The KingGod Bless Him." On the King's birthday all hands get a double ration of straight rum. First class petty officers get...
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