Sprout-hating captain bans 'the Devil's vegetable' from his ship

Sailors aboard a Navy warship are crammed into extremely confined living quarters.

Which may explain why one captain has decided to ban a potentially anti-social foodstuff from the ship's menu.

The Brussels sprout is so despised by Commanding Officer Wayne Keble that he refers to it as 'the devil's vegetable' which is not welcome aboard the HMS Bulwark.

Currently deployed in the Mediterranean and Far East, Captain Keeble was explaining his approach to maintaining his 390-strong crew's fitness when he launched the broadside against the winter vegetable.

He said: 'The only thing I have banned on board is Brussels sprouts.

'They are the devil's vegetable and the only thing I do not like, and the only thing I hate.

'Brussels sprouts are absolutely banned on board HMS Bulwark. I do not eat them so I do not know what the after-effects are.'

Capt Keble said he was keen to ensure the crew of the ship, based in Plymouth, Devon, keep up a high level of fitness through a healthy diet.

He said: 'Healthy eating is something I promote. I also promote adventure training and try to eat healthily.

'One of my roles as Commanding Officer is to ensure that we are fit and healthy and that we have a healthy lifestyle, moderate our alcohol intake and make sure we are not overweight.'

A spokesman for the Royal Navy and the MoD today claimed he had only banned the sprouts from the captain's table.

...But a source on board HMS Bulwark said he was 'very serious' about banning Brussels sprouts which are not allowed to be served.

He said: 'This ban is no joke. The captain has made it very clear that Brussels sprouts are not allowed on board. For some reason he just hates them.

... The unpleasant smell associated with them is caused by sulphur compounds released when cooked.

via Sprout-hating captain bans 'the Devil's vegetable' from his ship | Mail Online.