Sometime in the 19th century, the Royal Navy attempted to finally dispel the old superstition among sailors that beginning a voyage on a Friday was certain to bring bad luck. To demonstrate the falseness of this belief, they decided to commission a ship named HMS Friday. Her keel was laid on a Friday, she was launched on a Friday, and she set sail on her maiden voyage on a Friday. She was never seen or heard from again !!
Now, you can understand my reluctance to leave Marigot Bay today. So, what's a safety minded sailor to do ?? There is ONLY one answer..... go to a rum distillery and watch how rum is made..... let's go !!
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The basics for making rum are straight forward. Blend sugar (from sugar cane or molasses), water and yeast. Let is sit for 24 hours, distill it, let it age for a while, bottle and drink.
Above left is a small copper Pot Still. Below is a larger copper Pot Still. The larger still is used for distilling St. Lucia's premier rum....Admiral Rodney which is aged in oak barrels bought used from the Jack Daniel's distillery in the states for minimum of eight years before it is ready to bottle.
After a strenuous tour of St. Lucia's only rum distillary, there is only one thing left to do...sample the product !! Here I was worrying about the weather, and Friday the 13th. Now I have to worry about a Rum Squall !!! Think I will have another taste of the coconut creme, no maybe the Director's Spiced, no the Admiral Rodney, no...on the other hand..... ???
Greetings from Bequia. There be a new bottle of Capt Bligh and another of Sparrow's rum from St Vincent on Silverheels III. We miss you Dave...please get down here ASAP. Hope to see Persephone in the Grenadines by next week. Can't sample this new rum without your help.
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