Few naval customs were as beloved as the daily rum ration — "the tot." Since the eighteenth century the Royal Navy had issued its sailors a measure of rum, watered down into "grog" after Admiral Vernon, "Old Grog," ordered it diluted to keep his crews steadier. The call "Up Spirits" brought the mess's rum bosun to draw the day's issue from the rum tub and dole it out by the tot, and an extra measure — "splicing the mainbrace" — marked a victory or a royal occasion. The tot was morale, ceremony, and currency all at once; a man might trade his for favours. The Navy finally abolished it on "Black Tot Day," 31 July 1970.

The figure wears square rig — the dark navy jumper, blue jean collar and black silk, cap tally reading HMS — carrying the tot measure and the rum kettle ready to issue. He suits a Royal Navy mess-deck or Allied-navies display: group him with the Royal Navy Wren and the Navy's own Lord Mountbatten, and bridge to the American fleet with the U.S. Sailor in Crackerjacks.

W. Britain model 13005. 1/30 scale (approximately 60mm), matte-painted metal. Single foot figure on a sculpted base. Boxed.