According to one source what it refers to is any rum, gin or other spirit, of high enough proof so that if the besotted cannon crew were to spill any on the powder it would still fire the cannon. Great folk lore and partially rooted in the truth.
This article I stumbled across gives a more realistic answer.
What do they mean when they say Navy Strength?
Moderators: Artful Drunktective, mistah willies, NYDingbat, Judge, oettinger, Oggar, Badfellow, Mr Boozificator
What do they mean when they say Navy Strength?
Last edited by Patchez on Fri Feb 08, 2019 8:32 am, edited 1 time in total.
Now you're ready for some anti-dry-otics!-BeerMakesMeSmarter
If worms had daggers, birds wouldn't fuck with them-Todd Snider
Blackout and be extraordinary-Absinthe of Malice
If worms had daggers, birds wouldn't fuck with them-Todd Snider
Blackout and be extraordinary-Absinthe of Malice
Re: What do they mean when they say Navy Strength?
Interesting article. You mangled the link, BTW.
Don't worry. We're in no hurry.
Re: What do they mean when they say Navy Strength?
Fixed. I think.
Now you're ready for some anti-dry-otics!-BeerMakesMeSmarter
If worms had daggers, birds wouldn't fuck with them-Todd Snider
Blackout and be extraordinary-Absinthe of Malice
If worms had daggers, birds wouldn't fuck with them-Todd Snider
Blackout and be extraordinary-Absinthe of Malice
- Mr. Viking
- Hooching Like Hemingway
- Posts: 3947
- Joined: Fri Nov 25, 2011 7:23 am
- Location: Norris Green
Re: What do they mean when they say Navy Strength?
Navy strength would imply gunpowder "proof" as a minimum, which is the minimum alcohol content, 56.something% abv at which the spirit poured onto gunpowder will light with a match, It was a excise standard??? I believe that was the minimum strength for navy rum rations in the UK. The term "alcoholic proof" derives from the use of this test as "proof" of the alcohol content
"I spent all of my money on cars, women and booze, the rest of it I squandered" G. Best
- mistah willies
- Drinking Like W.C.
- Posts: 6747
- Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2013 9:48 pm
- Location: A ship upon the vast ocean of the Mighty MDM
- Contact:
Re: What do they mean when they say Navy Strength?
Now, there should be a gunpowder drink of rum.Mr. Viking wrote: ↑Thu Feb 14, 2019 4:46 pmNavy strength would imply gunpowder "proof" as a minimum, which is the minimum alcohol content, 56.something% abv at which the spirit poured onto gunpowder will light with a match, It was a excise standard??? I believe that was the minimum strength for navy rum rations in the UK. The term "alcoholic proof" derives from the use of this test as "proof" of the alcohol content
Gunpowder is readily available here in 'Murrica (replaced the lemonade stands on sidewalks in front of the houses of yore for those children trying to make a dime, or folks standing by the stop-light in traffic who now fill barrels/leather sachets with black powder instead of selling their wind-screen cleansing expertise from spit/urine with a dirty undergarment).
There is this:
Q. What's your favorite drink to make for a crowd?
A. I, shamelessly, have to say the Gunpowder Punch at Rob Roy. It's a blend of aged rum, agricole rum, gin, spices, lemon juice, orange and actual, antique-formula gunpowder.
Q. Gunpowder?!
A. Yes! My parents are into Ayurvedic and homeopathic medicine. Gunpowder is just carbon, sulfur and potassium, all of which are used in homeopathy. I wouldn't tell anybody to just sit there and eat gunpowder, but in small quantities it's fine. It makes the punch gunmetal gray, which is cool. And it adds a sharp, nicely acidic, slightly metallic finish.
From Here: https://www.foodandwine.com/blogs/2014/ ... ail-flavor
But there is indeed a certain rum:
http://themanufactory.wixsite.com/gunpo ... /home-port
These I will find, in addition to Badfellow's recommendation for Smith and Cross rum during our last drunk dial.
.
- Mr. Viking
- Hooching Like Hemingway
- Posts: 3947
- Joined: Fri Nov 25, 2011 7:23 am
- Location: Norris Green
Re: What do they mean when they say Navy Strength?
don't you boil piss to make gunpowder?
"I spent all of my money on cars, women and booze, the rest of it I squandered" G. Best
- Artful Drunktective
- Chugging Like Churchill
- Posts: 5359
- Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2015 1:00 pm
- Location: Yautja Prime
Re: What do they mean when they say Navy Strength?
Gots ta love Yosemite Sam! Always gunpowder skulduggery afoot.mistah willies wrote: ↑Fri Feb 15, 2019 3:36 pmNow, there should be a gunpowder drink of rum.
Gunpowder is readily available here in 'Murrica (replaced the lemonade stands on sidewalks in front of the houses of yore for those children trying to make a dime, or folks standing by the stop-light in traffic who now fill barrels/leather sachets with black powder instead of selling their wind-screen cleansing expertise from spit/urine with a dirty undergarment).
Okole maluna!
Re: What do they mean when they say Navy Strength?
Bat shit and charcoal makes rudimentary gunpowder. I think technically the sulfur in bat shit.
Maybe I'm just bat shit crazy and read too many comic books.
Now you're ready for some anti-dry-otics!-BeerMakesMeSmarter
If worms had daggers, birds wouldn't fuck with them-Todd Snider
Blackout and be extraordinary-Absinthe of Malice
If worms had daggers, birds wouldn't fuck with them-Todd Snider
Blackout and be extraordinary-Absinthe of Malice
Re: What do they mean when they say Navy Strength?
The toilet-bowl blew up pretty nicely today without using any gunpowder, liquids only
Drink!
- ThirstyDrunk
- Juicing Like Jackie
- Posts: 12701
- Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2006 10:35 pm
- Location: Xenia
Re: What do they mean when they say Navy Strength?
MAN OVERBOARD
SPLICE THE MAINBRACE
KICK YOU N THE BALLSACk
all of these thihngs are mean navy strength
Stop being sissies
SPLICE THE MAINBRACE
KICK YOU N THE BALLSACk
all of these thihngs are mean navy strength
Stop being sissies
Like a desperate thirst in a raging drought
Re: What do they mean when they say Navy Strength?
Don't forget keel hauling and Wednesday is your turn in the barrel.
Now you're ready for some anti-dry-otics!-BeerMakesMeSmarter
If worms had daggers, birds wouldn't fuck with them-Todd Snider
Blackout and be extraordinary-Absinthe of Malice
If worms had daggers, birds wouldn't fuck with them-Todd Snider
Blackout and be extraordinary-Absinthe of Malice
- Mr. Viking
- Hooching Like Hemingway
- Posts: 3947
- Joined: Fri Nov 25, 2011 7:23 am
- Location: Norris Green
Re: What do they mean when they say Navy Strength?
It's the ammonia, mixed with charcoal you get saltpetre which somehow becomes black powder. Where's Willies when you need him?
"I spent all of my money on cars, women and booze, the rest of it I squandered" G. Best
- Savage
- Juicing Like Jackie
- Posts: 25434
- Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2003 1:16 am
- Location: All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go
Re: What do they mean when they say Navy Strength?
Rum, sodomy and the lash. That is probably why Marines walk so asscheek-clenched. They were only aboard to protect the squids, you know.
like tears in rain