Bilge free

On this signal, the officer-of-the-day, the master-at-arms, the supply petty officer, along with the butcher assembled at the door of the supply room where the rum casks were stowed, "bung up and bilge free." After unlocking a heavy padlock, the butcher would tap a barrel and draw off the day's total ration for the ship's company, transferring it to a big wooden tub with brass hoops inscribed with the words, "The Queen--God Bless Her." Five minutes before dinner, "rum call" was piped and each mess sent a sailor with a jug or "fanny" to draw the ration for his mess.