RNZN Communicators Association
General Updates

Black Tot Day: The end of the rum ration history

John Bullock

Refer: https://tinyurl.com/uwma7xn7

  • Black Tot Day became an annual tradition when, in 1970, the centuries-old custom was ended as part of a modernisation of the Royal Navy.
  • Other navies around the world soon followed the Royal Navy in ending the daily rum ration tradition, with the Royal Canadian Navy abolishing the official serving in 1972.
  • The Royal New Zealand Navy carried on the custom right up until 1990.