Why was rum used on ships?
- Why was rum used on ships?
Spirits like rum or brandy (which the sailors were served for a time) retained their good taste and didn't spoil, so they might be the only tasty thing sailors got in a day.
- How much rum did sailors give?
In the 18th century, each sailor was allotted half an Imperial pint of rum a day, which translates to about ten ounces.