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Navy-strength gins must be 57 percent alcohol, or 114 proof, the same requirement that the Royal British Navy had for gins beginning in the early 1800s. The reason given back then was: Gunpowder could still be fired if 114 proof gin was accidentally spilled on it. This was the same era when the gimlet was invented by a Royal Navy doctor named Sir Thomas Desmond Gimlette so sailors could mix gin with their daily lime ration to prevent scurvy. Yes, this is all a true story.
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Man, being in the British Navy in the 1800's sounds like a helluva time!