Theo Nash
The consumption of alcohol on board US Navy vessels has been prohibited since 1914, when Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels issued General Order 99. This order was the culmination of a long process that had been gradually reducing the presence of alcohol on Navy ships. While the US Navy used to provide sailors with a daily ration of alcohol, this tradition was slowly phased out, with the ration being reduced over time before finally being eliminated during the Civil War. Today, the US Navy maintains a strict prohibition on the consumption of alcoholic beverages on its ships, with limited exceptions, such as allowing sailors who have been at sea for over 45 days to have a small amount of beer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year alcohol banned on US Navy ships | 1914 |
| Person responsible for the ban | Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels |
| Previous allowance of alcohol on US Navy ships | One half-pint of distilled spirits a day |
| Year alcohol ban was modified to allow two beers to sailors at sea for more than 45 days | 1980 |
| Exceptions to the rule | Ships keep a small stock of alcohol for medicinal purposes |
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What You'll Learn
The US Navy banned alcohol on ships in 1914
Alcohol has been prohibited on U.S. Navy ships since 1914. The ban was enforced by Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels, a teetotaler and supporter of the temperance movement, under President Woodrow Wilson. The order, General Order No. 99, stated:
> The use or introduction for drinking purposes of alcoholic liquors on board any naval vessel, or within any navy yard or station, is strictly prohibited, and commanding officers will be held directly responsible for the enforcement of this order.
This order was issued on June 1, 1914, and took effect on July 1, 1914. It was met with derision and mockery in the press, and sailors reacted with jeers and curses. The order was seen as an attempt to make the Navy softer, and editorial cartoons dubbed Daniels "Sir Josephus, Admiral of the USS Grapejuice Pinafore". Despite the backlash, the order was the culmination of a long process of reducing alcohol consumption in the Navy.
The U.S. Navy had inherited the British Royal Navy tradition of providing sailors with a daily rum ration in the 18th century. In 1794, the U.S. Navy established that sailors would receive "one half-pint of distilled spirits" per day. This ration was reduced over time, and in 1862 during the Civil War, it was eliminated entirely, although sailors were allowed to keep their own stock of beer and undistilled spirits at the captain's discretion. Despite the ban, some alcohol remained on U.S. Navy ships in the form of medical supplies and beer.
Although the ban was lifted in 1933 after the ratification of the 21st Amendment, the Navy conducted an informal poll of flag officers, which indicated that leaders preferred to maintain prohibition. However, the policy was modified to allow alcohol on shore at stores and clubs, and sailors at sea for more than 45 days were permitted to consume a small amount of alcohol. Today, the U.S. Navy mostly remains dry, with only limited exceptions, such as for medicinal purposes or special occasions.
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Sailors were given a daily alcohol ration until 1862
Alcohol has been prohibited on U.S. Navy ships since 1914, when Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels issued General Order No. 99. However, this order was the culmination of a long process that had been gradually reducing the presence of alcohol on Navy ships.
The tradition of providing sailors with a daily alcohol ration can be traced back to the 18th century when the British Royal Navy instituted a rum ration. The U.S. Navy followed suit in 1794, establishing that sailors would receive ""one half-pint of distilled spirits" per day. This ration could be substituted for one quart of beer.
In 1806, the U.S. Navy began encouraging sailors to accept whiskey instead of rum due to the latter's higher cost. Sailors who chose not to drink or were underage were compensated with an additional three to six cents per day. The daily ration was reduced to four ounces in 1842 and finally abolished in 1862 during the Civil War. However, the Confederate Navy continued to provide rum rations to their crews, believing that it would aid in recruiting experienced sailors from other nations.
Even after the official elimination of the alcohol ration in 1862, U.S. Navy sailors were permitted to keep their own supply of beer and undistilled spirits at the captain's discretion until 1899. It wasn't until 1914 that the consumption of alcohol on board U.S. Navy vessels was completely prohibited by General Order 99.
Today, ships in the U.S. Navy generally maintain a ban on alcohol, with limited exceptions. For example, ships may carry a small quantity of alcohol for medicinal purposes, to be issued only under the authority of the medical officer or ship's captain. Additionally, in 1980, Secretary of the Navy Edward Hidalgo allowed crew members who had been at sea for more than 45 consecutive days to have two beers.
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The Navy permits alcohol for medicinal purposes
The US Navy has had a long history of reducing the presence of alcohol on its ships. In 1794, the Navy established that sailors were to receive "one half-pint of distilled spirits" a day, with whiskey as a substitute for rum in 1806. Sailors who abstained from drinking were paid an extra three to six cents per day. The ration was reduced to four ounces in 1842 and was completely eliminated in 1862 during the Civil War.
In 1899, the sale of alcohol was restricted, barring enlisted men from possessing alcohol on ships or within naval bases. This was followed by Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels' issuance of General Order No. 99 in 1914, which strictly prohibited the use or introduction of alcoholic liquors on naval vessels.
However, there have been exceptions and modifications to these rules over time. During World War II, some submarine commanders provided their crews with beer after successful missions or in response to stressful events. In 1980, Secretary of the Navy Edward Hidalgo allowed crew members who had been at sea for extended periods to have up to two beers.
Notably, the Navy does permit the limited presence of alcohol for specific purposes, including medicinal reasons. Ships may keep a small stock of alcohol for medicinal purposes, such as when a crew member experiences trauma or a pilot faces demanding mission pressures. The dispensation of this alcohol is strictly controlled and can only be authorized by the ship's medical officer or captain.
While the Navy has largely moved away from the historical tradition of providing sailors with daily rations of alcohol, the allowance for medicinal purposes recognizes the potential benefits of alcohol in specific situations. This controlled provision of alcohol reflects the Navy's evolving approach to managing the presence and consumption of alcohol within its ranks.
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Beer is allowed after 45 consecutive days at sea
The US Navy has had a complicated history with alcohol, with policies changing over the years. In 1794, the Navy established that sailors were to receive "one half-pint of distilled spirits" a day, with whiskey later being encouraged as a substitute for the more expensive rum. During the Civil War in 1862, the ration was eliminated, although the Confederate Navy continued the tradition.
In 1899, the sale of alcohol on US Navy ships was restricted, barring enlisted men from purchasing it on board. However, in 1908, a General Order allowed for the establishment of ship post offices, potentially providing a new avenue for alcohol to be brought on board.
The consumption of alcohol on US Navy vessels was officially banned in 1914 by Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels, a supporter of the Temperance Movement, under General Order 99. This ban remained in place for six years, until the 21st Amendment was ratified in 1933, repealing Prohibition.
While the Navy leaders preferred to continue the ban on ships, Secretary of the Navy Edward Hidalgo modified the rules in 1980 to permit sailors who had been at sea for more than 45 consecutive days to have two beers. This decision was influenced by Hidalgo's own experiences during World War II, where he witnessed the stress and dangers faced by sailors.
The policy change allowing beer after 45 days at sea was implemented to boost morale and provide a sense of celebration for sailors who had been away from land for extended periods. It is important to note that this policy may have exceptions and that the overall consumption of alcohol in the Navy is carefully regulated.
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The Confederate Navy gave sailors alcohol to attract recruits
The consumption of alcohol has long been a part of naval history, with sailors often receiving daily rations of spirits, rum, or beer. However, in the early 20th century, the US Navy took steps to prohibit alcohol on its ships. This was met with resistance and creative workarounds, but by 1914, the Navy had largely succeeded in its efforts, and ships from around the world joined in the effort to reduce alcohol consumption.
The US Navy's journey towards prohibition began with Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels, a teetotaler who, in 1912, issued General Order No. 99, banning alcoholic beverages from US Navy ships. This order was the culmination of a gradual process of reducing alcohol availability that had been ongoing since the 19th century. The order was not well-received, and sailors found creative ways to continue drinking, even holding mock funerals for their departed liquor. However, by July 1, 1914, the ships of the US Navy officially became dry, with the following proclamation:
> "The use or introduction for drinking purposes of alcoholic liquors on board any naval vessel, or within any navy yard or station, is strictly prohibited, and commanding officers will be held directly responsible for the enforcement of this order."
While the US Navy ships were going dry, the Confederate Navy, during the Civil War, continued to provide their sailors with rum rations. They believed that maintaining this tradition would help attract experienced sailors from other nations, who were much needed at the time. This strategy may have been effective in the short term, but it is unclear if it had a significant impact on the outcome of the war.
Even today, the US Navy maintains a mostly alcohol-free environment on its ships. There are, however, some exceptions. In 1980, Secretary of the Navy Edward Hidalgo modified the rules to allow sailors who had been at sea for more than 45 consecutive days to have two beers. Additionally, ships may keep a small stock of alcohol for medicinal purposes, to be issued only under the authority of the medical officer or captain.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the consumption of alcohol on US Navy ships has been prohibited since 1914.
No, until 1899, US Navy sailors were allowed to keep their own stock of beer and spirits at the discretion of their commander.
General Order No. 99 was issued on 1 June 1914 by Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels, and it prohibited the use and introduction of alcoholic liquors on US Navy ships.
Josephus Daniels was a teetotaler and supporter of the Temperance Movement, a social movement advocating for a nationwide alcohol ban.
Yes, since the 1980s, sailors have been allowed to have two beers if their vessel has been at sea for 45 consecutive days or more.
