Time Aboard Ships

Time aboard ships

How to tell what time it is aboard a ship

Time is usually expressed in terms of "bells." Aboard a sailing ship a bell is rung every half hour after a glass is turned, usually by a midshipman standing watch. There are seven watches in a day:

• Midnight to 4 a.m. [0000-0400] - the mid-watch
• 4 to 8 a.m. [0400-0800] - morning watch
• 8 a.m. to noon [0800-1200] - forenoon watch
• Noon to 4 p.m. [1200-1600] - afternoon watch
• 4 to 6 p.m. [1600-1800] - first dog watch
• 6 to 8 p.m. [1800-2000] - second dog watch
• 8 p.m. to midnight [2000-2400] - evening watch