London SCC Major Events

To take the King’s shilling meant to agree to be recruited for @RoyalNavy Unscrupulous recruiters would drop a shilling in a beer, by the time the man noticed it was too late. Landlords got wise & began serving beer in glass bottom tankards, hence the term ‘Bottoms Up!’ to check.

#OnThisDay 1740 @RoyalNavy sailors rum was first diluted (1/2 pint rum, quart water) by Admiral Vernon, whose nickname was ‘old grog’ because he wore a grogram coat, a type of heavy cloth. The ‘grog’ as the mix came to be known by sailors was mixed in a scuttled butt. #rum #grog

#OnThisDay 1999 the last @RoyalNavy Command Field Gun competition took place at the final Royal Tournament at #earlscourt The winners were @HMNBDevonport A much reduced version of the sport is still run @HMS_Collingwood as the annual @RNRMC Trophy.

#OnThisDay 1612 the first record of a flag flown at half mast is documented for the English explorer Captain Hall when he was killed looking for the northwest passage on the ship Hearts Ease. Despite the name the correct way of half-masting is to fly it 2/3 of the way up.

During the 1970s in an effort to boost recruitment, @RoyalNavy recruiters took to the canals in narrowboat replicas of warships: HMS LONDON, SHEFFIELD, CLEOPATRA and submarine HMS RENOWN. @CanalRiverTrust

#OnThisDay 160 years ago in 1864 Squadron Colours were abolished which had seen the @RoyalNavy ships sailing under the Red, White & Blue ensigns. From this day on, the RN mustered under the White Ensign. The Blue went to vessels commanded by @RNReserve & Red to Merchantmen.

#OnThisDay 1707 the Acts of Union created the Kingdom of Great Britain from the Kingdoms of England & Scotland. This marks the date that @RoyalNavy came to exist as the British Navy although both countries Navies are much older.