Serving Grog

To a sailor on Constitution, there was no happier sound than the ringing of seven bells in the forenoon watch. These chimes signaled it was time for grog: a whisky-and-water drink served just before meals. To stop sailors hoarding it and getting blind drunk, they had to swallow their ration while an officer watched. Grog was powerful stuff a cupful was as strong as four glasses of wine.