Sailor's Bourbon Rations T-Shirt

Not Available in Stores

This t-shirt honors when sailors were given rations of liquor, be it rum or America's whiskey, bourbon.

"On July 1, 1914, infamous buzzkill and then-Navy Secretary Josephus Daniels implemented General Order 99: “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.” 

-- We Are Mighty, 2021

So very mean.

As everyone knows, a jug of spirits has been a nautical necessity for ages. In Master and Commander, when the young sailors bring a wooden model of the Acheron, the adversary of the HMS Surprise, Gerald Butler's Captain Jack Aubrey says:

"Capt. Jack Aubrey : Killick, an extra ration of rum for these men.
Joseph Nagle, Carpenter's Mate : Thank you very much, sir.
William Warley, Cpt. of Mizzentop : Thank you, sir.
Preserved Killick, Captain's Steward : Which I was savin' for Salutin' Day, I was.
Capt. Jack Aubrey : We'll drink wine.
Preserved Killick, Captain's Steward : Oh, drink wine for Salutin' Day..."

And then of course, there are the pirates. "Drink up me hearties, yo ho!"

Her Majesty's Service still allows alcohol (mostly beer) on board, as long as you stop drinking eight hours before your next shift. 

The United States Navy, it seems fell victim, to a prohibitionist, a 100 years ago.  There is however now "Beer Day." When a ship has been at sea for 45 days and has more than five days left before arriving into port, the ship's captain may request a beer day, subject to commitments, threats, etc.

This can be accompanied with civilian clothes and cookouts, so this t-shirt might fit right in, with a vintage, distressed look that recalls a time when seafarers held off Davy Jones' clutches with a pint of rations. A tee aged by the salty sea air.

PS: The sea can be a good vessel for aging bourbon in barrels. The jostling of the whiskey in the waves of the ocean. "Jefferson's Ocean Bourbon travels to 25 ports, five continents, and across the equator. This bourbon is aged at the mercy of the sea." 

-- Jefferson's Bourbon

(Picture: Scene, USS Constellation capturing the French frigate L'Insurgente, 1799. Author Rear Admiral John William Schmidt (Ret.), as sailor or employee of US Navy, public domain.)

The Vintage Look

The shirt has a unique distressed, vintage look; cool, subtle, like washed in a creek. Like maybe it's seen a few things. The fabric remains the highest quality (see below).

The T-shirt

Our tees are the highest quality you will find. 100% combed and ring-spun cotton by Bella Canvas, a USA-based company. Feels soft and lightweight, with the right amount of stretch. It's comfortable and very flattering for both men and women.

Free Shipping -- Please allow from 7 to 14 days for shipping.

• 100% combed and ring-spun cotton (Heather colors contain polyester)
• Ash color is 99% combed and ring-spun cotton, 1% polyester
• Heather colors are 52% combed and ring-spun cotton, 48% polyester
• Athletic and Black Heather are 90% combed and ring-spun cotton, 10% polyester
• Heather Prism colors are 99% combed and ring-spun cotton, 1% polyester
• Fabric weight: 4.2 oz (142 g/m2)
• Pre-shrunk fabric
• Side-seamed construction
• Shoulder-to-shoulder taping

Size guide