Navy Rum: Perceptions and Misconceptions with Dr Geoffrey Ward

There are many 'facts' about rum that you often hear relating to the British Navy repeated so often that is it easy to assume they are true. With the help of Dr Geoffrey Ward we'll take a closer look at proof, gunpowder and the British Navy. Geoff is an historian based at the University of the West Indies, whose research has been focussed on the political, social, and economic interactions between the Barbadian populace and British naval personnel during the American Revolution. He is also a R.L. Seale / UWI post-doctoral fellow, researching Barbados' rum exports between 1775 and 1820. 0:00 Intro 3:16 Credits 3:42 Who is Dr Geoff? 8:52 Presentation begins 11:30 When did rum become the official drink of the Navy? 20:36 Pepys and official introduction of rum to Navy 23:50 Concept of proof 28:50 Variation of drinks depending on where they were 32:50 Contractors supplying booze 36:54 Alcohol related problems in the Navy 41:02 Enema cartoon 45:06 Bumbo 46:52 Admiral Rodney and the importance of fisheries 49:38 Admiral Rodney and the Great Madeira Purchase 52:10 'Prizes' in Royal Navy 59:37 Gunpowder proof and misconceptions 1:16:56 Q & A 1:35:35 Thanks to Patreon and what's coming next