Ship’s bell

Ship's bell

Ship's bell

Half hour glass

Half-hour glass

In the days of sailing, the exact time was needed to determine the longitude. This made it a very important task for the guard on duty to operate the hourglass.

The hourglass is started when the sun is at its highest point. After half an hour the sand has run through, the clock is turned around and the ship's bell struck once (12:30 p.m.). This is repeated every half hour, with the bell being struck once more (blasting). After eight beats (4 p.m., 8 p.m., midnight, 4 a.m., 8 a.m. and 12 p.m.) you start again with one beat. The four-hour rhythm is combined with the changing of the guard.

You can hear an example of 1:00 a.m. (1:00 p.m.) on the next page.

13 Uhr Film

Ship's bell - App

Two strikes for 1 p.m. (1 a.m.), unlike churches and town halls with only one strike for 1 p.m.

As you can see, even today, for nostalgic reasons, you can have a clock built into your yacht that is capable of striking the glass. You can also install a bell clock app on your smartphone.

In the next example you will hear the chiming of the glass for 4:30 a.m. (4:30 p.m.).

4-30 Uhr Film

Double beat

Just one hit, actually. Whether it is 12:30 a.m., 4:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. or 8:30 p.m., people can feel.

8 strikes (four double strikes) are traditional for burials at sea.

In the next example, hear the glass strike for 3:30 a.m. (3:30 p.m.). Even with modern clocks, the full hours are displayed as a double beat and the half hours as a single beat.

3-30 Uhr Film