Boatswain's Call - Commands

Commands

  • 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 honor 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 two rotating watches that stood for 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.
  • Dinner or Supper: Calls the crew to a meal.
  • 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.

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