“Three Bells in the Forenoon Watch”

[Kings Gambit]

Still reading in the Macomber Honor Series first mentioned in another thread. Into book #4 now, An Affair of Honor. The story line has focussed on the subject of a naval officer’s career during peacetime in post-war 19th century aboard steamers. I came across this phrase which I thought interesting. Ship-time was its own time in those days. I guess 24-hr military time had not been adopted. I doubt the ships had many time pieces to consult. But, no need. Time is broken into watches. The forenoon watch would be 0800 to 1200. To do something (meet) at “three bells in the forenoon watch” would be to meet at 0930. So simple and pure as long as there is someone aboard to ring the bells! Probably no showing up early.
KG

 

[dLj]

Growing up we used to have an old ships clock that rang out the bells per that 8 bells system. You only had to wind it once a week for the time, the wind up for the bells lasted longer, but you'd wind both anyway on the same day each week.

I sure wish I still had it.

dj

 

[jssailem]

KG... The Deck watch, Officer of the Deck, is charged with monitoring the time. On a small boat usually rings the bell. On a larger boat directs a senior bosun on Deck watch to strike the time.

I love the sequence of bells sounding through out the day.

Modern boats strike the bells automatically. Aboard SV Hadley we have one of those ships bell clocks that requires regular winding.

Those steam ships of the19th Century were creating the connection between the Art of the Sailing Ship

and the Modern Navy's of our century.

 

[Kings Gambit]

KG... The Deck watch, Officer of the Deck, is charged with monitoring the time. On a small boat usually rings the bell. On a larger boat directs a senior bosun on Deck watch to strike the time.

I love the sequence of bells sounding through out the day.

Modern boats strike the bells automatically. Aboard SV Hadley we have one of those ships bell clocks that requires regular winding.
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Yes. I think I’ll get one of those; I’ve seen them. The Bavaria came with a battery-powered ship’s clock and barometer set, but no bells. Now that I can hardly read anything small, in dim light, or a few feet distant, I could use one to tell me when it’s time to do stuff, not having to remember to check the time, or grab a flashlight or the spectacles. Yes, I have a wrist watch that can lum at night, but I need me glasses most of the time to read it!!! It’s on batteries, not easy to replace, which have run down on me while away. Duh, is it time to get up?

 

[JamesG161]

The Bavaria came with a battery-powered ship’s clock and barometer set, but no bells.

Are you sure?
My ship's clock had an option of "bells", but it would not wake up anybody.

Just a quiet reminder of the time, without looking, every half hour.
Jim...

 

[Kings Gambit]

One boat buck for the Weems and Plath 8-day Atlantis model new.

 

[Kings Gambit]

Are you sure?
My ship's clock had an option of "bells", but it would not wake up anybody.

Just a quiet reminder of the time, without looking, every half hour.
Jim...

Well, I know I’ve not heard it ring out. No manual handy. I’ll take a close look behind the face. Never thought of doing so.

 

[Kings Gambit]

Well, I know I’ve not heard it ring out. No manual handy. I’ll take a close look behind the face. Never thought of doing so.

It’s the W&P Admiral Quartz Clock model. Just saw it on the W&P website. No bell. Only 1/3 of a boat buck.

 

[Kings Gambit]

I notice now there are many bell clocks around in eBay and marine chandlery in Ventura.

 

[jssailem]

Look for the ability to alter the bell sound level. Strong or soft. It is a valuable option.

 

[Kings Gambit]

I guess there can be five 4-hr watches and two 2-hr dog watches. Are the bells the same sets of 8 throughout the day? Is a dog watch a full watch that goes off at 4 bells?

 

[Richard19068]

I guess there can be five 4-hr watches and two 2-hr dog watches. Are the bells the same sets of 8 throughout the day? Is a dog watch a full watch that goes off at 4 bells?

iI never thought About that before so looked it up:

"Eight Bells occurs at the end of each of the 4 hour watches, and the Last (or second) Dog Watch.
Dog Watches bells are:
1 2 3 4 (end of 1st Dog)
1 2 3 8 (end of 2nd Dog)"

All I knew was that dog watches were "cur-tailed". (Thanks to Patrick O'Brian)

 

[jssailem]

My bell clock does not know the difference in watches. I rings the 8 bell cycle then repeats. It is up to the humans and their brains to recognize size the 2 or 4 hour watches and act accordingly or visit the captain's mast. Held infrequently.

 

[Kings Gambit]

iI never thought About that before so looked it up:

"Eight Bells occurs at the end of each of the 4 hour watches, and the Last (or second) Dog Watch.
Dog Watches bells are:
1 2 3 4 (end of 1st Dog)
1 2 3 8 (end of 2nd Dog)"

All I knew was that dog watches were "cur-tailed". (Thanks to Patrick O'Brian)

Ok thanks! The things that one learns in here!

 

[Terry Cox]

Inherited my Dad's Seth Thomas eight day ships clock many years ago. Grew up with it mounted on our kitchen wall. Dad wound it every Sunday. Vintage 1930. Stopped running for awhile and most clock shops wanted $250+ to clean and get it running again. Used to oil the gear seats and bearings myself, but was reluctant to take the main and bell spring barrels out thinking I would have to take the clock mechanism apart. Not so.

Back when it was still running I made a case for it; sides made of Myrtle and the back and front of walnut. One day a year or so ago came across this retired clock worker who offered to clean and get it running again for $25. Deal! And he did. Cleaned and oiled the gear seats, removed, cleaned and oiled the barrel springs and a minor adjustment. Now back running again and remains on the boat as a reminder of solo watch changes...and my Dad.

Made a brass plaque mounted on the inside of the door engraved in honor of my Dad's birth and death date. You can find clocks like these on e-bay. Well made and a very nice boat time piece. Keeps good time. Shop around for a retired clock repairman who can clean and get it running again for a reasonable price.

 

[jssailem]

Very Nice Terry!

 

[Terry Cox]

Very Nice Terry!

Thank you, John.

 

[dLj]

Beautiful clock and very nice wood work!

dj

 

[Kings Gambit]

Inherited my Dad's Seth Thomas eight day ships clock many years ago. Grew up with it mounted on our kitchen wall. Dad wound it every Sunday. Vintage 1930. Stopped running for awhile and most clock shops wanted $250+ to clean and get it running again. Used to oil the gear seats and bearings myself, but was reluctant to take the main and bell spring barrels out thinking I would have to take the clock mechanism apart. Not so.

Back when it was still running I made a case for it; sides made of Myrtle and the back and front of walnut. One day a year or so ago came across this retired clock worker who offered to clean and get it running again for $25. Deal! And he did. Cleaned and oiled the gear seats, removed, cleaned and oiled the barrel springs and a minor adjustment. Now back running again and remains on the boat as a reminder of solo watch changes...and my Dad.

Made a brass plaque mounted on the inside of the door engraved in honor of my Dad's birth and death date. You can find clocks like these on e-bay. Well made and a very nice boat time piece. Keeps good time. Shop around for a retired clock repairman who can clean and get it running again for a reasonable price.

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Yes, very nice Terry. I’m looking for one. Love the case!

 

[Terry Cox]

Thank you all. Actually these old clocks are pretty easy to work on. Everything comes out the front. Once out, the mechanism is easy to oil. I use a light machine oil. A tool that helps oiling is to take a length of a coat hanger and use a ball peen hammer to flatten one end into the shape of a half moon. That is used to place a small amount of oil on each gear shaft bearing; not on the gear itself, but where the shaft rides in the block.

When you take the time face off, that opens access to the barrel springs. It's important to release spring tension before removing the barrel springs. Removing the barrels give access to the springs for removal, cleaning and oiling. I've never done that part, but it looks pretty easy. Usually, the reason these clocks stop running is because the barrel springs dry out, bind together and do not release their tension smoothly. Once cleaned and oiled they will run for years.

If you find one that is in good condition but not running, perhaps we can arrange for a cleaning and oiling adventure. My clock repair guy drives a hard bargain. I'll check with him to see whether he has one for sale. If so, I'll connect the two of you privately.