From the days of the Continental Navy, a Sailor’s respite at sea had included alcoholic beverages such as rum rations, “grog” or Officers’ “wine mess”. It all came to an end in 1914 with the enactment of the Secretary of the Navy’s GENERAL ORDER 99:

NAVY DEPARTMENT,
Washington, D.C., June 1, 1914

CHANGE IN ARTICLE 827, NAVAL INSTRUCTIONS

On July 1, 1914, Article 827, Naval Instructions, will be annulled and in its stead the following will be substituted:

"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."

JOSEPHUS DANIELS
Secretary of the Navy

With alcohol no longer available, coffee became the go-to drink for Sailors – who immediately attached the pejorative term “Cup of Joe”, a not-so-thinly disguised barb at the Secretary of the Navy.

Hoist your mug to….Sailors!

- Brian S.