Beer contributed to a sailor's calorific intake, but a ration of eight pints per day consumed substantial stowage volume. After the conquest of Jamaica gave Britain a dependable rum supply, the Royal Navy could replace that bulk with half a pint of spirits. The saving in hull space substantially extended voyage range and the crew's operational capability. Drinking the spirits all at once created a discipline problem that the grog system had to address.
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Rum replaces bulky beer to extend operational range
A reliable Caribbean rum supply let the Royal Navy replace a bulky daily beer ration with concentrated spirits, freeing hull space and extending voyage endurance.