Original British Victorian Era Naval 1/2 GILL Copper Rum Measure for Grog marked HML SE 2 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. We’ve all heard of Scurvy the terrible decease contracted through lack of Vitamin C. The decease was rampant in the BRITISH NAVY in the 18th Century. Even barrels of “fresh water” stored for a long ocean voyage developed the most awful scum from algae.

In 1740 the British Vice Admiral EDWARD VERNON who was overall commander of the West Indies Station ordered that every English seaman should receive a ration of RUM everyday. This amounted to a HALF PINT. When issued neat it led to problems of abuse with sailors saving rations to be consumed all at once leaving them insensible to their required tasks. It was resolved therefore that the HALF PINT Rum Ration should be mixed with TWO PINTS of fresh water creating what we now know as “GROG.” It had been intended for Lime and Orange juice to be added but was very rarely available.

Thus started a tradition that stood in the Royal Navy for more than 200 years.

Here we offer an original small British Naval Rum Measure, made of sheet copper, brazed & soldered together. The seam is still quite apparent under the “ear” shaped handle. The parts look to be machine spun, so this is definitely Victorian era. The interior is plated with tin, which helped keep the copper from adding flavor to the contents.

The measure is approximately 2″ tall by 2″ wide (not counting the handle), and the side opposite the handle marked GI 1/2 LL. Below this is the marking HML SE 2, which is an abbreviation that we are not familiar with. Condition is quite nice, and it looks solid, with clear markings. The inside still has an intact tin coating, put in placed to prevent the copper from reacting with the contents.

Even for the Grog nobody wanted to be an Able Seaman in Royal Navy in those just terrible times. The total daily ration being just TWO and ONE HALF PINTS of Grog per man, that’s it 2 1/2 pints of liquid PER DAY regardless of heat and weather, that’s what a British Sailor got!

A darling little object! Unfortunately we have no clue as to what H.M.L. stands for.
A great research project for someone with a Naval interest.