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DEPARTMENT
OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON
Bells on Ships
Bells have a centuries-long tradition of varied use in the navies and merchant fleets of the world. Signaling, keeping time, and sounding alarms are important in a ship's routine and readiness. Their functional and ceremonial uses have made them a symbol of considerable significance to the United States Navy.
USS Isabel (PY 10) gunnery exercise, circa 1933 - 1934
Origins
Bells cast from metal were first developed in the Bronze Age, achieving a
particularly high level of sophistication in
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the shipboard bell was on the British
ship Grace Dieu about 1485. Some ten years later an inventory of the
English ship Regent reveals that this ship carried two "wache
bells".
Timekeeping
Before the advent of the chronometer time at sea was measured by the trickle of
sand through a half - hour glass. One of the ship's boys had the duty of
watching the glass and turning it when the sand had run out. When he turned the
glass, he struck the bell as a signal that he had performed this vital function.
From this ringing of the bell as the glass was turned evolved the tradition of
striking the bell once at the end of the first half hour of a four hour watch,
twice after the first hour, etc., until eight bells marked the end of the four
hour watch. The process was repeated for the succeeding watches. This age-old
practice of sounding the bell on the hour and half hour has its place in the
nuclear and missile oriented United States Navy at the dawn of the Twenty-First
Century, regulating daily routine, just as it did on our historic vessels under
sail in the late Eighteenth Century.
USS Catskill
(1863 - 1901), circa 1865
Safety
and Communication
The sounding of a ship's bell found a natural application as a warning signal
to other vessels in poor visibility and fog. In 1676 one Henry Teonage serving
as a chaplain in the British Mediterranean Fleet recorded , "so great a
fog that we were fain to ring our bells, beat drums, and fire muskets often to
keep us from falling foul one upon another". Ringing a ship's bell in fog became
customary. In 1858, British Naval Regulations made it mandatory in that
function. Today, maritime law requires all ships to carry an efficient bell.
American ships of the Revolutionary War period and our early national years
adopted many of the practices and traditions of the British Royal Navy,
including the use of bells. In 1798, Paul Revere cast a bell weighing 242
pounds for the frigate Constitution,
also known today by its nickname "Old Ironsides".
It is of interest to note that the use of a ship's bell contributed to the
richest single prize captured by the American Navy during the War of
Independence. While a Continental Squadron under Commodore Whipple lay-to,
wrapped in
USS United
States (1797 - 1861) and Pacific Squadron, circa 1842- 1843
Alarms
The bell is an essential link in a ship's emergency alarm system. In the event
of a fire, the bell is rung rapidly for at least five seconds, followed by one,
two or three rings to indicate the location of a fire - Forward, amidships, or
aft respectively.
USS Bunker
Hill (CV 17) on fire, 1945
Navy
Ceremonies and Events
The
bell is used to signal the presence of important persons. When the ship's captain, a flag officer, or other important person arrives or departs, watch standers make an announcement to the ship and ring the bell. This
tradition extends to major naval command transitions, often held aboard vessels
associated with the command.
US Pacific Fleet change of command aboard USS Grayling (SS
209), 1941
Bells
in religious ceremonies
The bell's connection to religious origins continues. Originating in the
British Royal Navy, it is a custom to baptize a child under the ship's bell;
sometimes the bell is used as a christening bowl, filled with water for the
ceremony. Once the baptism is completed, the child's name may be inscribed inside
the bell. The bell remains with the ship while in service and with the
Department of the Navy after decommissioning. In this way, an invisible tie
is created between the country, the ship and its citizens.
USS Passaic (1862 - 1899) divine
services, circa 1865
Bells
have been loaned or provided to churches as memorials to those vessels; this
practice has been discontinued in favor of displaying bells with namesake
states or municipalities, with museums, and with naval commands and newer
namesake vessels.
Maintenance and upkeep
Traditionally, the bell is maintained by the ship's cook, while the ship's
whistle is maintained by the ship's bugler.
In actual practice, the bell is maintained by a person of the ship's division
charged with the upkeep of that part of the ship where the bell is located. In
such a case a deck seaman or quartermaster striker or signalman striker may
have the bell-shining duty.
USS Ohio
(1838 - 1883) crewmen with bell, circa 1870
Disposition and continuing Navy use
In addition to its shipboard roles, the bell serves a ceremonial and memorial
function after the ship has served its Navy career.
U.S. Navy bells are part of the many artifacts removed from decommissioned vessels preserved by the
USS Lawrence (DD 250) ship's bell at the
Bells
remain a powerful and tangible reminder of the history, heritage, and
accomplishments of the naval service.
Related
links:
For
further reading:
Wede,
Karl. The Ship's
9 April 2008