Brass Bells

Nautical brass bells are struck to designate the hours of being on watch.  Each watch is four hours in length.  One bell is struck after the first half-hour has passed, two bells after one hour has passed, three bells after an hour and a half, four bells after two hours, and so forth up to eight bells are struck at the completion of the four hours.  Completing a watch with no incidents to report was "Eight bells and all is well." The term "Eight bells" can also be a way of saying that a sailor's watch is over, for instance, in his or her obituary. It's a nautical euphemism for "finished".

The practice of using nautical brass bells stems from the days of the sailing ships.  Sailors could not afford to have their own time pieces and relied on the ship's bells to tell time.  The ship's boy kept time by using a half-hour glass.  Each time the sand ran out, he would turn the glass over and ring the appropriate number of bells. Ship's bells are also used for safety in foggy conditions, their most important modern use. A ship's bell is a prized possession when a ship is broken up, and often provide the only positive means of identification in the case of a shipwreck.

Nautical brass bells are available today commerically in several types.  The types are 1) hanging, 2pedestal mounted 3) wall mounted and 4) inscribed.  

The quality of the nautical brass bells varying widely.  The difference is in the thickness of the brass itself.  Less expensive models have a thin wall making the for a more “tin” or “clang” sound.  The more expensive nautical brass bells have a deep rich almost musical sound.  They are constructed of much heavier thickness brass.  Make sure you ask about this when considering what to buy. 

Another thing to consider when buying is the weight of the nautical brass bell.  12 inch bells for example, can weight up to 35#.  So you really need a good solid place to mount them.  A common drywall anchor installation is not enough.  Most of the bells come with a mounting bracket and place for screws.  Make sure if the bell is heavy to get the screws into a stud or firm wooden support.   The pedestal bells should also be mounted to the surface with screws or some fastening device.  They will slide around or even fall over when you use them otherwise. 

The inscribed nautical brass bells usually have some common words such as “US Navy”, “Titanic” or “Fire”.   These are very attractive decoration pieces for the home.  Of course you can buy a plain nautical brass bell and have it engraved with whatever you want it to say.

Alan Olsavsky is the owner of the All Nautical Shoppe, and been in the retail business online since mid 2000. All Nautical Shoppe offers, Nautical Gifts, Nautical Decor, Lighthouse Replicas, Nautical Lamps, Model Ships, Nautical Clocks, Nautical Furniture, and Brass Bells. The store features just about anything you can think of in terms of nautical decorations and gifts items. The All Nautical Shoppe has well over 500 products and add new ones all the time. First time buyers receive a special discount, so come visit the All Nautical Shoppe.

All Nautical Shoppe | 1004 S. Quiet Bay Circle | Cicero, Indiana 46034 | 317-984-9505