Preface
Long referred to as the ‘demon’ rum it has nevertheless been used for hundreds of years to discourage the ravages of cold, wet, lack of sleep and depression along with most other maladies faced by serving men. Rum rose to prominence because it did not ‘turn’ or ‘go off’ as beer and wine did. Our Facebook entry regarding the location of the rum stores aboard HMCS Ojibwa jogged the memory of Jim ‘Lucky’ Gordon – and helps us understand the nickname ‘Lucky’. | The Cox'n's Stores located on the deck between the gash ejector and the Chiefs &Petty Officers Wash Space. |
That Alone should have Raised Suspicion
According to Hoyle
With the duty officer (OOD) and the Cox'n watching intently, Scouse sat on the edge of the hatch, feet on the tank top, with a large copper funnel grasped between his knees and a hose leading from the funnel into the rum tank. When ordered to do so, I selected a crock of rum and armed with my seaman's knife showed the seal to the OOD and Cox'n and proceeded to cut the wax seal off the top. |
The rum would glug out until Scouse gave the crock a practiced swirl so that the contents flowed fast and smooth.