#watch system

[ltwilliammowett]

A Watch pocket watch used by officers at sea to check the time and the ship's bell during watches. The watch has a gold case engraved with a sailing ship and a lighthouse on the front. The back is engraved with a ship, an anchor, a capstan, a sextant, a trident and a marine chronometer. ca. 1857

[clove-pinks]

Midshipmen took a full part in the watch system of the ship. According to Basil Hall, ‘These young gentlemen are divided into three watches, and the individuals of each part are stationed on different parts of the deck. The mate of the watch, who is the principal person amongst them, with two or three youngsters, walks on the quarterdeck ... Another midshipman, generally the second in seniority, has the honour of being posted on the forecastle; while a third, stationed abaft, walks on the poop.’ As a seaman, Robert Wilson saw midshipmen differently. ‘Their duty in watches is to call the officer of the next watch, to heave the log and mark the log board, and many other things as required.’ During tacking ship, ‘The midshipmen stand on each other’s toes on the quarterdeck, except one or two who are on the forecastle.’ Another was in charge of signals. However, at other times a midshipman’s life was more exciting. He often had command of one of the ship’s boats, and might even be allowed to take command of a prize, and navigate into port.

— Brian Lavery, Nelson's Navy: The Ships, Men and Organisation, 1793 - 1815

'Lieutenant Blockhead keeping the Morning Watch', drawn by Captain Frederick Marryat, 1820. Two midshipmen with white collar patches and round hats stand at top left.

[ltwilliammowett]

Dogwatch

The watches on board the ship are held in a four-hour rotation. So that the crew members were not forced to always be on the same watch, the watch from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. was divided into two hours each day. The first was called dogwatch and the second dogwatch.

(x)

This division shitfs the entire watch rotation every 24 hours, ensuring all sailors have ample opportunity to sample the particular joys associated with each ( from polishing the ship’s brass during the midwatch, to scrubbing the deck while standing the morning watch). The choice of time also allows both watches, to eat at about the traditional time.

As to the name, one theory states the term is a corruption of dodge watch, as sailors dodge standing the same watch every day or are viewed as dodgeing a full watch. Therefore, after the Mutiny of the Nore in 1797, the system was also changed. Admiral Symth (Sailor’s Word- Book, 1867), however, offers that the name stems from the fact that the shorter dogwatch is cur-tailed ( i.e. shortened) Another one explained that the name comes from the night watch, that is, the time when (on land) everyone slept except the dogs. Although no one can prove its origin with any certainty, reference to the word has been tracked as far as the 17th century.

[ltwilliammowett]

The watch system aboard

The watches on board a ship were divided into four-hour periods (8 bells) and the six watches were named as follows. First watch, middle watch, morning watch, forenoon watch, afternoon watch, first dog watch and second dog watch. Each watch fulfilled its tasks in its four hours and so that each team did not always have the same watch, the dog watch was divided into two hours so that the watches were spread out and it became fairer. The traditional watch system of the Royal Navy was the two watch system. This meant that there were two watches, which were distributed throughout the day.

The two watch system known and used since the 16th century

In 1800, some officers began to denounce this system as outdated and unnecessary, because a trimmed crew did not need so many men on watch. And so some captains developed the three-watch system.

The three watch system which was used since 1800

This meant that a watch always had a little more air than before and could even get a 6-hour break. Which was not only available for free time, because then there was also work to be done, but the men had a little more free time than before. Now there were men who didn't have to do any guard duty at all and traditionally these were the first lieutenant (but this is a special privilege and had nothing to do with the Idlers) as well as the gunner, carpenter, purser and a few others. Their work was expected during the day (well, not for the 1st lieutenant, but he had enough to do as it was) from 8°°- 18°° and of course when it was necessary. These men were called Idlers and still are.

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