The use of the bells to mark the
time stems from the period when seamen (1) could not afford a personal time
piece (i.e. - a watch) and (2) even if they could, they had no idea on how to
tell time with such an instrument. The bells mark the hours of the watch in half-hour increments. The seamen would know if it were
morning, noon, or night. Each watch* is four hours long and the bells are
struck thus:
|
Mid |
Morning |
Forenoon |
Afternoon |
Dogs* |
First |
|
0030 - 1 bell |
0430 - 1 bell |
0830 - 1 bell |
1230 - 1 bell |
1630 - 1 bell |
2030 - 1 bell |
|
0100 - 2 bells |
0500 - 2 bells |
0900 - 2 bells |
1300 - 2 bells |
1700 - 2 bells |
2100 - 2 bells |
|
0130 - 3 bells |
0530 - 3 bells |
0930 - 3 bells |
1330 - 3 bells |
1730 - 3 bells |
2130 - 3 bells |
|
0200 - 4 bells |
0600 - 4 bells |
1000 - 4 bells |
1400 - 4 bells |
1800 - 4 bells |
2200 - 4 bells |
|
0230 - 5 bells |
0630 - 5 bells |
1030 - 5 bells |
1430 - 5 bells |
1830 - 5 bells |
2230 - 5 bells |
|
0300 - 6 bells |
0700 - 6 bells |
1100 - 6 bells |
1500 - 6 bells |
1900 - 6 bells |
2300 - 6 bells |
|
0330 - 7 bells |
0730 - 7 bells |
1130 - 7 bells |
1530 - 7 bells |
1930 - 7 bells |
2330 - 7 bells |
|
0400 - 8 bells** |
0800 - 8 bells |
1200 - 8 bells |
1600 - 8 bells |
2000 - 8 bells |
2400 - 8 bells |
Notes: * - The period from 1600 to 2000 is split
into two dog watches. These watches run from 1600 to 1800 and from 1800 to
2000. This alternates the daily watch routine so Sailors on the mid-watch would
not have it the second night, and, the split also gives each watch stander the
opportunity to eat the evening meal.
** - The end of the watch is considered at 8 bells, hence the saying "Eight Bells and All Is Well."
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