Things Nautical and Naval #2 Trivia Quiz

Answer: A Royal Navy Flag Officer.

Since her commissioning in 1956, HMY Britannia has always been commanded by a Rear Admiral with the exception of her last captain; Commodore Anthony Morrow (still a "flag officer" however). She carried a full RN crew including a detachment of Royal Marines. I'm not positive about this but I think HMY Britannia may have been the only naval vessel in the world to have been regularly commanded by an Admiral.

Answer: The day of the last fleet wide issue of the daily grog allowance.

On 31 July 1970, the last "tot" of grog was issued. The recipe for grog has varied over the years but in 1970 the standard issue was an eighth of a pint of rum. For junior ratings, it was diluted 2 to 1 with water, but senior ratings (Petty Officer and above) got it neat! The loss of the grog ration was compensated by issuing an extra can of beer.

Answer: First Sea Lord

The title of "First Sea Lord" goes back to the early 19th century when the appointment of civilians, exclusively, to the position of First Lord of the Admiralty, began. To differentiate the civilian naval head from the senior serving Royal Navy Officer, the title First Sea Lord was created.

Answer: John Byng.

Both were shot on Royal Navy vessels but under slightly different circumstances. On 14 March, 1757, Vice Admiral John Byng was "executed by musketry" in English home waters by sentence of court martial. VADM Byng was ordered to relieve the garrison at Fort St.Philip on the island of Minorca in the Mediterranean. He failed to relieve the fort in time and subsequent to the Battle of Minorca, failed to pursue the French Fleet.

Although he was admittedly in command of an inferior fleet to the French. he was tried under the Articles of War which dictated, without exception, the death penalty for an officer who did not do his best against an enemy in battle or who failed to vigorously pursue an enemy. While acquitted of other charges, Byng was convicted of failing to do his utmost while in command. The court had no discretion in the sentencing and condemned him to be shot. Byng was the last Vice Admiral executed by sentence of court martial in the Royal Navy.

Answer: "The Queen/King, God Bless Her/Him"

The grog tub was the container from which the daily ration of grog was issued to messes and/or individual sailors. Over the years it traditionally became embellished with carefully varnished staves, brass hoops, and the motto "The Queen (King), God Bless Her (Him)".

The bos'un would pipe "up spirits" at noon and the crew would line up for their ration. A great way to have a lunch "break" underway.

Answer: First battleship to be powered by steam turbines.

The introduction of steam turbines in HMS Dreadnought assured a significantly higher speed; 21 knots, as well as a more stable gun platform at speed because of the smoother operation of the turbines compared to the previous triple expansion reciprocating engines of the pre-dreadnought vessels.

The introduction of HMS Dreadnought not only created a complete obsolesce problem for England's naval rivals; France, Germany, and The United States, but also for the Royal Navy. Prior to HMS Dreadnought, the RN enjoyed a significant advantage in the number of capital ships, now they had only a one ship lead.

The great naval race was on.

Answer: A Bell, hung at Lloyd's of London, which is traditionally struck to indicate overdue or lost ships.

The Lutine Bell was salvaged from the wreck of HMS Lutine in 1858. Hung in the underwriting room of Lloyd's of London, it was traditionally rung to announce the news of an overdue or lost ship. The ringing was to insure that all the brokers and insurance underwriters received news of the loss at the same time.

The bell is now ceremoniously rung to commemorate national and international tragedies as well as other special occasions.

Answer: The British Submarine Command Course.

Since 1917 the Royal Navy has conducted a rigorous, semi-annual course, to qualify RN officers in the submarine service for command. Because of the over 25% failure rate and consequentially complete removal from the submarine service, the term "perisher" seems well deserved.

Answer: Members of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve.

The term "Wavy Navy" is derived from the distinctive sleeve insignia of rank worn by RNVR Officers. While the individual rank was indicated by the number of stripes as in the RN/RNR, the RNVR stripes were interlaced rather than straight. This distinction was discontinued in 2007.

Answer: Sausages

Snorkers originally referred to Palethorp"s pre-cooked tinned sausages. The nick name seems to have originated in the RN submarine service and has since spread to include all sausages. Who can forget the immortal words of Lt. Bennett in the film, "The Cruel Sea": "Snorkers! good oh."