Struck every half hour after each change of watch of four hours. 8 bells at change of watch, followed by 1 bell at half hour after change, 2 bells at + one hour, 3 bells at + one and a half hours, 4 bells at + two hours, etc.
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DOGWATCH
A short, evening period of watch duty on a ship
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HACK
A chronometer which has failed to meet the exacting require- ments of a standard chronometer, and is used for timing observations of celestial bodies, regulating ship's clocks, etc. A comparing watch, which may be of high quality, is normally used for timing celestial observations, the watch being compared with the chronometer, preferably both before and after observations. Sometimes called HACK CHRONOMETER.
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ALL NIGHT IN
Having no night watches.
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BELL
The type of buoy with a large bell and hanging hammers that sound by wave action.
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GUARD BOAT
A boat which makes the rounds of a fleet at anchor to see that due watch is kept at night.
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STARBOLINS
Sailors of the starboard watch
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UNDER THE WEATHER
Serving a watch on the weather side of the ship, exposed to wind and spray.
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BINNACLE LIST
A ship's sick list. The list of men unable to report for duty was given to the officer or mate of the watch by the ship's surgeon. The list was kept at the binnacle.
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ANCHOR WATCH
The crewmen assigned to take care of the ship while anchored or moored, charged with such duties as making sure that the anchor is holding and the vessel is not drifting. Most marine GPS units have an Anchor Watch alarm capability.
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IDLER
A member of a ship's company not required to serve watches. These were in general specialist tradesmen such as the carpenter and the sailmaker.
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