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APPENDIX II
NAVAL TERMS AND CUSTOMS
Persons entering a new profession must learn
the vocabulary peculiar to that profession to
understand and make themselves understood by
their associates. The Navy, too, has its own
vocabulary, containing unique expressions for
many commonplace terms. You will soon realize
that the language of the sea has a great deal of
merit. You will come to understand that, under
certain circumstances, a word or a few words have
a precise meaning or require a certain sequence
of actions. You will notice that the use of such
words will eliminate the need to accompany an
order with extended explanatory details. When the
proper order is given, the desired response is
obtained.
You will notice, too, that when a chance for
confusion exists, a strange, new term may be
substituted for an old, familiar one. For example,
the word stop may be used in orders for the ship’s
engines but never for the anchor windlass or for
the helm. An officer conning a ship issues many
different orders when a ship is getting under way,
mooring, or anchoring. Yet, when couched in
proper, seaman-like language, the orders are
understood and are carried out by the proper
individual or group. To stop all the engines, to
stop the swing of the ship, or to stop the anchor
windlass, the conning officer gives the order “All
engines stop, ” “Meet her,” or “Avast heaving.”
These terms leave no chance for confusion. The
person on the engine-order telegraph rings up
stop, the steersman puts the rudder over, or the
proper talker relays the order, “Avast heaving,”
to the anchor detail on the forecastle.
An order or a term may have its origin in
antiquity, or it may have been recently coined;
but that is not important. What is important is
that the expression conveys, in as few words as
possible, an exact meaning with little or no chance
for confusion. Those that fit this requirement live
on as long as there is need for them; those that
do not are soon replaced.
It behooves you to learn and use this language
because it is a necessary tool of your trade.
This appendix describes many of the customs,
terms, or expressions that form our nautical
language.
ANCHOR WATCH
Years ago ships were equipped with anchor
cables of hempen rope and oil-burning riding
lights. While the ship was riding at anchor, special
care was taken to see that these lamps were not
extinguished, that the cables did not part, and that
the ship did not drag its anchor. The watch
responsible for this particular duty was designated
the anchor watch. The anchor watch, as a sea
term, is still retained although the duties of the
watch have changed considerably since the old
days. Today, the anchor watch is a detail of
personnel on deck at night safeguarding the vessel
when at anchor.
BELLS
Certain words and expressions preserve for us
old customs, as in the instance of bells struck
aboard ship. They are not primarily intended to
replace clocks for telling time. But they do tell
clock time by measuring the periods when certain
members of the crew are standing watch.
This custom started with the hourglass—which
really wasn’t an hourglass but a half-hour glass.
The quartermaster on watch turned the glass at
the end of his first half-hour and struck the bell
one time. He then struck the bell an additional
stroke at the end of each half-hour after that.
At the end of 4 hours, he would strike the bell
eight times, signaling the completion of his watch
and the beginning of the next 4-hour watch. So
it went during the six watches of the 24 hours,
ending at midnight. While the hourglass has long
been out of date, the bells are still used aboard
ship.
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