Jackspeak of the Royal Canadian Navy

Ship's Bell

A ship's bell, made of brass or bronze, is usually engraved with the name of the ship. It is one of the most revered items aboard the ship and is always treated with respect. Traditionally it was used to indicate the time aboard a ship, and to regulate the sailors' duty watches. The watch would ring the bell every half hour, and increase the number of "dings" by one, every half hour. At the end of the four hour watch, the bell would ring eight times. Afterward, the next watch would begin by ringing the bell once. The Ship's bell is also used as baptismal font, with the names of the children who have been baptized engraved on the bell itself.

Added: 2014-11-01 Last modified: 2014-11-01