Boatswain's call

A boatswain's call, is a pipe or a non-diaphragm type whistle used on naval ships by a boatswain.

The pipe consists of a narrow tube (the gun) which directs air over a metal sphere (the buoy) with a hole in the top. The player opens and closes the hand over the hole to change the pitch. The rest of the pipe consists of a "keel", a flat piece of metal beneath the gun that holds the call together, and the "shackle", a keyring that connects a long silver or brass chain that sits around the collar, when in ceremonial uniform.

Origin

Before the introduction of electronic means of communication on ships, the boatswain's whistle was used by the boatswain's mates to pass on commands to the crew.

History and use

Historically the boatswain's call was used to pass commands to the crew when the voice could not be heard over the sounds of the sea. Because of its high pitch, it could be heard over the activities of the crew and bad weather. It is now used in traditional bugle calls such as Evening Colors/Sunset, and in other ceremonies in most modern navies. It is sometimes accompanied by other auditive features such as ruffles and flourishes, voice commands and announcements, or even a gun salute.

It was first used as a badge of rank for the Lord High Admiral of England in 1485.

In modern shipping, orders are passed on to the crew via loudspeaker, megaphone or on-board radio and the boatswain's whistle only plays a major role in on-board ceremonies on military ships. Every officer and dignitary who gets on or off board is entitled to a signal of respect: the "side whistle" is blown. The whistle is also used at the flag parade. In contrast, the "front" is whistled by the officer of the watch with the battery whistle. It is still traditionally used on sailing training ships such as the Gorch Fock, where orders are still given or announced by whistles.

Sound generation

Although it only recognizes two pitches: "high" and "low," certain signal sequences encompass a multitude of different commands. The loud and shrill sound drowns out the weather, the sea, and the ship's inherent noises. It also interrupts any conversation on board.

By blowing differently and changing the hand position, the tone of the whistle can be varied. A basic distinction is made between the two pitches, the duration of the notes, and their sequence. Trills are also common.

Design

The pipe's construction is simple and contains no moving parts, although its use requires some practice. The air stream is blown through a mouthpiece into a narrow tube, from whose end it strikes an open sphere at high speed. The edge of the sphere's opening serves as the labium, similar to that of an organ pipe.

The instruments are made of metal, usually copper and brass. Silver-plated and solid silver versions are also available, and a gold whistle became the insignia of the Supreme British Admiralty in 1670. The whistles of the German Navy are made of nickel-plated brass.

Honouring

Pipe Aboard/Ashore: Flag-rank officers or an important guest is boarding or departing a Navy ship; also used to mark the final departure of a sailor retiring from active duty. This is part of a ceremony called "manning the side" which includes a party of sailors known as "side boys". It has its origins in the need to hoist visiting senior officers aboard using a bosun's chair when the weather was too rough for the use of ladders. The bosun would use his call to direct the side boys in the hoisting of the chair.

Funerals: When the body of a person entitled to honours in their lifetime is taken aboard a Navy ship, the same ceremony is observed.

Commands

The following are the commands that are passed with the help of a bosun's pipe.

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.

The Side or Away Galley: Descends from the tradition of hoisting officers aboard ship in a chair. It is a combination of haul, and then a command to lower. This call remains in use as an honour given to officers when embarking or disembarking.

Away Boats: Used to order a ship's boats to leave the ship's side.

Call the Boatswain's Mates: The boatswain's gang to report.

All Hands on Deck: Crews were split into three (or earlier, two) rotating watches that stood for two to four hours at a time. This call signals the entire crew to assemble on deck.

Word to be Passed: Command for silence, an order to follow.

Pipe Down: Dismissal of all the crew not on watch.

Sweepers: End of the work day. Ostensibly sailors would "sweep up" prior to departure in preparation for the following day.

Pipe to any meal: Pipe All Hands, followed by long Heave Around (Mess gear), and long Pipe Down.

Still: Used to call the crew to attention. This would be done, for example, when two warships meet, the still being piped as the junior ship salutes the senior ship (the seniority of a warship is the seniority of her captain); a less common alternative to the still being piped is a bugle call.

Carry On: Used after the still, to dismiss the crew back to their duties.

General Call: Piped before an announcement.

Officer of the Day: Call the Officer of the Day to the Gangway.

In popular culture

The two-tone boatswain's whistle is used in the various Star Trek series to signal general shipboard communication. In some cases, a crew member uses an electronic or historically similar whistle to welcome a guest aboard or on deck.

Sourced from Wikipedia