For our military members

[jackhammer 544]

I seen this and had to pass it on..

 

The U. S. S.. Constitution (Old Ironsides), as a combat vessel, carried 48,600 gallons of fresh water  for her crew of 475 officers and men. 

This was sufficient to last six months of sustained operations at sea. 

She carried no evaporators (i.e. fresh water distillers). 

However, let it be noted that according to her ship's log, 

"On July 27, 1798, the U.S.S. Constitution sailed from Boston with a full complement of 475 officers and men, 48,600 gallons of fresh water, 7,400 cannon shot, 11,600 pounds of black powder and79,400 gallons of rum ." 

Her mission: "To destroy and harass English shipping." 

Making Jamaica on 6 October, she took on 826 pounds of flour and68,300 gallons of rum.   
Then she headed for the Azores , arriving there 12 November. 
She provisioned with 550 pounds of beef and 64,300 gallons of Portuguese wine . 

On 18 November, she set sail for England. 

In the ensuing days she defeated five British men-of-war ships, and captured and scuttled 12 English merchant ships, salvaging only the rum aboard each. 

By 26 January, her powder and shot were exhausted.

Nevertheless, although unarmed she made a night raid up the Firth of Clyde in Scotland. 

Her landing party captured a whisky distillery and transferred 40,000 gallons of single malt Scotch aboard by dawn. 

Then she headed home. 

The U. S. S. Constitution arrived in Boston on 20 February 1799, with no cannon shot, no food,no powder, no rum , no wine , 
no whisky , and 38,600 gallons of water . 

GO NAVY ! 

[Ed Kennell 35,493]

Wow.. that's about 1 gallon of water and 200 gallon of alcohol per day per man.  That had to be one boat load of drunken smelly sailors.  . 

[stevasaurus 22,229]

I'm liking these guys already!!  NAVY...can't imagine why it is the best branch of the service. 

You know...you can work up a thirst salvaging all that stuff.  This really parallels my trip to the BIG SHOW.  

California would be proud of their water conservation practices. 

[Wishin4a416 2,185]

I had an Uncle who made a career in the Navy. And He loved his hooch. God Bless him. And I thank him for his service.

[953 nut 51,414]

1 hour ago, ekennell said:

That had to be one boat load of drunken smelly sailors.

 

Salt water showers were no doubt used for bathing, as for the drunken part; no comment!        

[SylvanLakeWH 24,037]

Cheers!