10-22-2021

[Trivia Master]

From September 1st 1682 Union Navy sailors over the age of 21 were given a pay raise of 5 cents a day.
Why?

credit: @Brenal

 

[hughes]

The raise was to help compensate for the abolition of the wine and grog allotment. BYOB buy your own booze

 

[bayouace]

The Navy spirit (alcohol) daily ration was forever ceased, and 5 cents per day added to the pay of sailors over 21 to compensate.

 

[DBF]

Known as the Reform Act of 1862; those over 21 were no longer going to be given a half pint of wine or a quarter pint of grog (their "Rum Ration) every day. On September 1, 1862 the practice was replaced with a cash payment of $1.50 a month or 5 cents per day to prevent excessive drinking and dealing with discipline.
https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/military-pay
(Link)

 

[NFB22]

They were no longer given a daily ration of spirits or wine.

 

[streetwiseprof]

Because Congress eliminated the spirit ration. All those who were eligible for the market received the 5 cent/day pay bump in lieu of booze.

 

[stuart1861]

This pay rate was paid to those sailors over the age of 21 who chose to forgo the spirit ration.

 

[WJC]

From September 1st 1682 Union Navy sailors over the age of 21 were given a pay raise of 5 cents a day.
Why?

credit: @Brenal

The pay raise was compensation for eliminating the 'rum ration'. It was a provision of the Act of July 17, 1861, "An Act making additional Appropriations for the Naval Service for the Year ending June thirty, eighteen hundred and sixty-two.":

from and after the first day of September, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, the spirit ration in the navy of the United States shall forever cease, and thereafter no distilled spirituous liquors shall be admitted on board of vessels-of-war except as medical stores, and upon the order, and under the control of the medical officers of such vessels, and to be used only for medical purposes. From and after the said first day of September next there shall be allowed and paid to each person in the navy now entitled to the spirit ration five cents per day in commutation and lieu thereof, which shall be in addition to their present pay.​

Source: "1861 Navy Food and Spirit Ration", Navy Cyberspace, https://www.navycs.com/public-law/naval-ration-1861.html

 

[kholland]

The Navy raised their pay as their Grog ration was stopped.

 

[gentlemanrob]

Answer: grog or spirit ration of alcohol was eliminated by an Act Of Congress, so the sailors got a 5 cents compensation.

 

[James N.]

I believe it was in compensation for the abolition of the customary ration of rum or "grog" that had previously been an item of regular issue but was eliminated by "progressive" or do-gooder Naval commanders as a sop to the growing Temperance movement.

 

[sarladaise]

On September 1st 1862 the Union Navy abolished its daily spirit ration and the sailors received 5 cents in lieu of
the alcohol allotment.

 

[Pollaco]

The grog or spirit ration (Alcohol) was eliminated as of Aug. 31, 1862, so as of Sept 1st the sailors were compensated 5 cents.

 

[JOHN42768]

The spirit ration was discontinued for all and in it's place a stipend of 5 cents a day raise in pay took it's place.
source: https://media.defense.gov/2019/Apr/10/2002112515/-1/-1/0/AH197510.pdf

 

[Gibbon]

Grog payment

 

[Ole Miss]

Spirit ration was ended and sailor given 5 cents in compensation
Regards
David

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

• Seagoing enlisted men over 21 also received a half pint or wine or a quarter pint of grog each day. This practice was abolished in September 1862, when the ration was replaced by a cash payment of $1.50 a month. Source: https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/military-pay

 

[ErnieMac]

The raise was to replace the grog ration which Congress abolished.

The Sailor's Life

 

[Gary Morgan]

If memory serves, it was to make up for taking away their grog ration. (but it was in 1862, not 1682).

 

[hoosier]

It was to make up for the loss of the previously-allowed daily ration of spirits (half pint of wine or quarter pint of grog).