07/08/00

Forward Messdeck

The forward messdeck, and in particular the seat I'm sitting on, used to be where my bunk was onboard the Kirkliston. Not only did we sleep down here but we also brought our meals down from the galley to eat, socialised by playing board games, cards etc as well as write letters home on these tables. However the favourite activity was 'Tot Time'. The tot (a half gill measure [1/8 of a pint] of one part Pusser's rum[95.5% proof spirit] to two parts water) was dished out by the Rum Bosun to those entitled (sailors aged 20 or more and living onboard). Sadly this ritual was done away with as from 31st July 1970.

Forward Messdeck

Phil, you may have your 'eating irons' but you'll have a long wait for grub!

The messdeck is full of mementoes from Bronington's sister ships, the "Ton" class. The "Tons" were all named after villages in the United Kingdom.

Forward Messdeck

Phil acts out the part of  a sailor 'under stoppage of tot'. Various reasons for this stoppage were for punishment, medical or living ashore and therefore no longer entitled.

I might add that in Phil's case he was on medical stoppage as he was taking antibiotics for a stomach problem.