What shall we do with the drunken sailor?

The story of a shanty

Seafaring has always been associated with the use of alcohol on board ships, and for good reason, as we will see later. Of course, this custom has also been immortalised in maritime songs. One of the most popular sailor songs of all time is the traditional shanty "What shall we do with the drunken sailor". The old seafarers' work song in medieval (Doric) tune is said to come from an Irish melody called "Oró Sé do Bheatha 'Bhaile", which means something like "Óró, welcome home" - but that doesn't fit the drunken sailor at all!

The song's tradition dates back to the early 1800s, but there are few certain references. However, its refrain is mentioned as early as 1840 in some records of whaling ships from New London, Connecticut, as reported by the Financial Times.

Why alcohol

Why seafarers are so often associated with excessive alcohol consumption is easy to explain. Before the introduction of filter systems, sterilising additives and modern water storage on board ships, it was simply necessary to add alcohol to liquid supplies - at least to preserve them for a certain period of time. It is also clear that this method of preservation was not without its pitfalls. Official regulations were necessary, especially for seafarers working for the state.

Royal Navy

The Royal Navy probably has the longest history of the use of alcohol on board, especially as it was realised very early on that tasty rum - administered before a battle situation - makes one courageous and fearless, makes one overconfident and irresponsible, and also suppresses pain and worry very effectively. All ingredients for a successful naval battle! But also the recipe for widespread alcoholism. Because the midday ration of 1/8 pint (71 ml) of 55% rum, the "Tot", which was in force from 1850 to 1970, is known to not only reduce the ability to concentrate and react during demanding activities, but is also highly addictive as a drug! Incidentally, before 1823, four times this amount was still considered the daily ration due to the crews and non-commissioned officers of the Royal Navy - a privilege that at the time also provided for new blood and was by no means damaging to their reputation.

United States Navy

As far as the other side of the Atlantic was concerned, on 27 March 1794, the American Congress issued a daily drink ration that included "half a pint of brandy" (a quarter) or "a quart of beer" (a measure). After that, the restrictions on alcohol were tightened further and further until the U.S. Navy finally banned the "consumption of alcohol on board" completely on 1 July 1914 with "General Order 99". This stated: "The use or carrying of alcoholic beverages on board a naval vessel, in a naval shipyard, or at a naval base for drinking purposes is strictly prohibited. Commanding officers will be held directly responsible for the enforcement of this order."

What to do?

However, sailors in uniform and without have been no less fond of alcohol ever since - usually in harbour. So what do you do with a drunken sailor?

According to the song, you can still do several things to a drunken sailor: shave his belly with a rusty razor, pack him into a lifeboat until he sobers up, roll him in front of a scupper and hose him down with a water hose, or put him to bed with the captain's (supposedly ugly) daughter. It is not known whether or not the U.S. Navy ever used any of these methods of punishment. But any captain who catches a drunken sailor in bed with his daughter is likely to fall off the wagon - one way or another.

Source: Military Times, Sicard, and many others