I feel that I'm gong to be too serious.

This is the story of how Navy Flakes evolved as I heard it told.

Tobacco, long ago, was sold sold wrapped in paper and tied with string.

At sea there was the problem of keeping it moist and protecting it from the salty air so thy would soak the paper in rum or other high sugar spirits.
Whiskey has been used too. I don't know that there's a specific model for Navy Flake, more like meatloaf, every mom makes it their own way but it's still meat loaf.