Splice the Main Brace
Splice the Main Brace was a dangerous and difficult task and entailed
Repairing part of the mast structure which had been damaged either in battle or
By inclement weather. Sailors who performed this dangerous duty were rewarded with an extra
Tot of rum hence the expression “Splice the Mainbrace” which came to mean an extra rum ration


Make And Mend

Before uniforms were issued to sailors the men had no other choice than
To make their own clothes. When hands could be spared from duties about
The ship there would be a pipe “Hands to make & Mend clothes”
Today the expression “Make & Mend bears little relation to its original use.
And in todays modern Navy literally means the afternoon off.


Rig of the Day

A Naval term for uniform which was worn that day.


Rabbit’s
Rabbit’s were articles taken ashore by the crew.
“Tuck it’s ears in” was often said when a rating went ashore With his parcel.

In todays Navy a Rabbit is a ‘present’ bought during a Run ashore usually abroad for a loved one back home


Bell Bottom Trousers
Introduced in 1817. Believed to be so shaped to enable sailors to roll them up
When washing down the decks etc. When the legs were knotted together could
Be used as a makeshift life preserver.


Fouled Anchor
Naval insignia was the seal of Lord Howard of Effingham. He was the lord Admiral
Of England at the time of the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588.
The fouled Anchor remains today as the official seal of the Lord High Admiral and is
Found on buttons, cap badges and official seals. Also denotes the rank of a Leading
Hand in the Royal Navy





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