Bells

The bell was the focal point of the ships daily routine. A 24 hour day was divided into five 4 hour watches, plus two 2 hour dog watches between 4 and 8 p.m. Each watch was timed with a half hour sand glass. The first time the glass was turned, the bell was struck once. The second time, the bell was stuck twice and so on to eight bells, denoting the end of the watch.