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The boatswain's pipe is a aspect of naval tradition that has been around for so long, its origin has been lost to legend. This shrill sounding whistle was used for communication and ceremony aboard warships through out the age of sail and steam. It is played by cupping the bowl in your hand and varying the amount of sound that comes from the pipe. Please choose a call to hear by selecting the title of the call |
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USS Constellation built 1854 |
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Haul: The most basic of calls, crews of warships were not allowed to sing work songs or shanties so the pipe coordinated the sailors. The low note was for the pause and preparatory, the high for pulling on the line. |
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The Side: Or Away Galley, descends from the tradition of hoisting officers aboard ship in a chair. The higher the rank, the more men an officer received. It is a combination of Haul, and then a command to lower. This call remains in use as a honor given to officers when embarking or disembarking, though the practice of actually hoisting officers had been done away with long before the Civil War. The officer would still receive "side boys" with a increasing number related to rank, but they would line the gangway and present arms, instead of pulling.
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Away Boats: Would be used to order ship's boats to leave the ship's side. |
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Call the Boatswain's Mates: The boatswains gang to report
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All Hands on Deck: Crews were split into two watches that stood four hours on and four hours off duty. Unfortunately they could be called at any time the entire crew was needed for handling sails, etc... This is the call that would be used to signal the ENTIRE CREW to assemble on deck. |
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Word to be Passed: Command for silence, an order to follow |
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Pipe Down: Dismissal of all the crew not on watch |
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Dinner or Supper: Called the crew to this meal |
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