Another perk of being a Submariner, all the Boats the I was in served up one and one (equal parts of rum and water), far better than the normal (for junior rates two of water to one of rum).
Tot time at sea was a joy, if you were one of the later ones to draw, you'd walk into the mess with everyone waiting to take the p.iss, the secret was to ride the storm, to crack was to get more stick etc.
I remember, somewhat hazily, one Christmas duty alongside, Nav.O. was a very trusting soul. The Rum Bosun used Barcardi in the fanny instead of water, full measure of pussers rums added, with plenty of Queens, Nav. O. was invited forward and handed a full tot, with the rules of the mess having been explained to him, he sank the tot in one, said he didn't realise how strong it was, became very tired and emotional and took to his bunk, He looked bloody awful when he eventually surfaced late the next morning. As far as I know He was never told the truth about his tot.
The tot was good currency, it could buy someone else to do a duty and as most of you will have picked up over the years there were various measures available for the various favours or gifts given. ie sippers, gulpers and sandy bottoms.
It hurts me to admit it but I think the Tot had finally reached the end of its run, there were very few crew that wouldn't, to a greater of smaller degree, be affected by it, as machinary and equipment became more complex I think it was time for it to go.
In summary it was fine in the Mans Navy but the kids of today wouldn't have been able to handle it, before anyone gets to upset, this paragraph is meant as a joking aside (look up joke if you don't understand it)
WRNS didn't get a tot, it was felt that it would lead to more unwanted pregancies and tantrums. The other excuse was that in the days of the Tot WRNS were not in the RN as such and therefore were not entitled
