Naval/Maritime Quotes

[Tanyrhiew]

Thw wives & sweethearts quote is a traditional RN toast dating from before Trafalgar:

At mess dinners it used to be a custom, not often observed now, to propose what was known as the toast of the day. The list that seems to be most commonly followed dates from before Trafalgar, and is:

Monday - our ships at sea

Tuesday - our men

Wednesday - ourselves, because no one else is likely to both

Thursday - a bloody war or a sickly season (to ensure quicker promotion)

Friday - a willing foe and sea room (The two preceding seem to be of historical interest only)

Saturday - wives and sweethearts - may they never meet (reply is made by the youngest officer present)

Sunday - absent friends.

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