History and Usage
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 is also the official badge of the Quartermaster, Chief Boatswain's Mate, and Boatswain's Mate in the Sea Scouts and the Sea Cadets.
Read more about this topic: Boatswain's Call
Famous quotes containing the words history and, history and/or usage:
“Every literary critic believes he will outwit history and have the last word.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)
“Boys forget what their country means by just reading the land of the free in history books. Then they get to be men, they forget even more. Libertys too precious a thing to be buried in books.”
—Sidney Buchman (19021975)
“Pythagoras, Locke, Socratesbut pages
Might be filled up, as vainly as before,
With the sad usage of all sorts of sages,
Who in his life-time, each was deemed a bore!
The loftiest minds outrun their tardy ages.”
—George Gordon Noel Byron (17881824)