"UP SPIRITS!"

Issue of the last tot onboard Phoebe in the Persian Gulf

The rum issue being measured out by the Captain. First and last time for everything. It was usually the supply branch (victualling) that dished the rum up with the Officer Of the Day and Duty Petty Officer as witness to the correct issue.

Once the issue had been poured into the fanny, the 'rum boson' took it down the mess to be measured out into tot glasses. Usually the rum bosun was invited to take a sip out of everyone's glass. Reason being that if the issue was short then the rum boson would be the one to go without. Usually there was a bit left over in the fanny and this was poured into a glass and was called "Queens" and passed around for each member of the mess entitled to rum to take a sip.