Barry Finn
You know I searched "Shanties from the seven seas" AND in the "Roll the Old Chariots" (sic) pages he don't refer to no Nelson's Blood outside the song! AND rum nor brandy nor Nelson appear in the index. Gimme the page!!!
He refers to Doerflinger and wouldn't ya know it - my book isn't that one!!! Navy Rum is quite concentrated and high in sugar apperently which is also a preservative. Nelson paid for his own provisions so maybe it was the Armagnac.

BTW FWIW Martin Hugill is running shanty sessions at the Bishops Castle Folk W/e May 24-26th mrslemon.co.uk
Guest, source? - source?
Oh well, its down to the Monmouth Museum for a word or two.