THE HISTORY OF ROYAL DANISH NAVY SPIRITS

In the years 1671 to 1917 when Denmark had the colonial possessions, St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John in the Caribbean, they were at times plagued by violent pirates and privateers. Two of the Danish Navy's main tasks in the Caribbean was therefore to protect the Danish property against pirates and other hostiles and convoy operations to protect Danish Merchant ships.

In the second half of 1800 the big frigates were on several voyages to the West Indies. Among others the famous and still existing "Frigate Jylland" were there on five journeys between 1871 and 1887. The last warship visiting the islands while they still belonged to the Danish Crown was the cruiser "Valkyrie" that departed for the West Indies in 1915.

The history of the Danish Navy Rum from the West Indies are not nearly as well documented as the English Royal Navy Rum. However it is a fact that during all the 250 years in which the three islands belonged to the Kingdom of Denmark there have been distilled a special rum for the Royal Danish Navy.

This Rum was in the early times enjoyed by the crew on board the naval ships on the strenuous return voyage to Denmark until the Navy issued a total alcohol ban.

In recent years the crew of the naval ships were allowed to enjoy the Royal Danish Navy Rum during their shore leave on the three islands, as well as in the officers' mess, where alcohol were allowed at any time.