ROYAL NAVAL TOASTS

Understand the toasts made by the RN and when to use them

Traditional Wardroom Evening Toasts

The following are traditional period routine toasts drunk after dinner in wardrooms:

Sunday ............... Absent friends.

Monday ...............Our ships at sea.

Tuesday .............. Our men.

Wednesday ..........Ourselves (as no one else is likely to concern themselves with our welfare).

Thursday ............. A bloody war or a sickly season.

Friday ..................A willing foe and sea room.

Saturday ............. Sweethearts and wives (may they never meet).

Thursday's toast is clearly a reference to promotion, only then to be obtained in dead men's shoes.

Other versions are:

Sunday ............... Absent friends and those at sea. Absent friends.

Monday ..............Our native land. Queen and country.

Tuesday ..............Our mothers. Health and wealth.

Wednesday .........Ourselves. Our Swords. Old Ships (i.e. shipmates).

Thursday .............The King.

Friday ............... ..Fox hunting and old port. Ships at sea.

Saturday ..............Sweethearts and wives. Sweethearts and wives (may they never meet).