WATCHES, BELLS, THE HELM, THE CREW.
WATCEES.—The master is always in charge of the deck, excepting when long passages are being made; then watches are set. The master takes the starboard watch, and the mate the port watch. The second mate is in the master's watch, or, if no second mate, the boatswain. The two mates generally tell the men off into their respective watches when they are shipped. If the yacht is short-handed in making a passage, the steward musters in the master's watch and the cook in the mate's. The watches are usually set at eight o'clock of the first night at sea, and the master takes the first watch; but on leaving a foreign port for home the mate takes the first watch. Following out the axiom that the " master takes the ship out, but the mate brings her home," the mate has charge of the navigation on the homeward voyage, if he is capable of the duty, the master superintending only.
When a yacht is in harbour, or when only sailing about in the day time and bringing up at night, no watches are kept, and the whole crew, including master and mate are on deck. When sailing about for a few hours in the daytime the master takes sole charge of working the yacht and generally steers. He issues all orders, and the mate sees that they are carried out. Thus, in working to windward, if the yacht has to be tacked, the master says " Ready about ! " The mate answers " All ready, sir." The master then puts down the helm, saying " Helm's-a-lee ! " the mate answers " Helm's-a-lee, air ! " and directs the crew to ease up the head sheets and haul them aft again as required. When the master hails with " Ready about," none of the crew should bawl out " All right, sir," or answer in any way whatsoever, but if the mate is not on deck, the second mate or boatswain should take his place, answer "All ready, sir," and see that the head sheets are worked properly. The master will see that the aft sheets are properly worked. With a good and attentive crew, the first hail of " Ready about," or even a sign, will send all the men to their stations, and the more quietly a yacht can be worked the better it will be for the nerves of the passengers.
In making long cruising passages watches are set, and the master and mate take alternate watches, as before stated. The twenty-four hours are divided into seven watches thus—five of four hours duration, and two of two hours, the latter being called " dog watches" and always occur between four and eight o'clock in the afternoon. The object of having dog watches is to obtain an uneven number, as otherwise the same men would always be on duty in particular watches. During the dog watches—from four o'clock to eight—a great deal of liberty is allowed the men, and the watch below as well as the one on deck do their own odd jobs, tell yarns, sing, and generally amuse themselves in such a way as is consistent with the good working of the yacht.
Generally when going to sea the first watch is set at eight p.m., and the master takes that watch. Eight bells are struck and the port watch retires below. At twelve o'clock (midnight) the port watch is called by the second mate or boatswain going to the fore hatch or scuttle, and bailing " Port watch ahoy I " or " Eight bells sleepers ! " The watch below should answer " Ay, ay " turn out immediately, and be on deck in five minutes. Any lagging is regarded as very bad form, and and a man is looked upon with contempt who does not turn up on the first summons. The watch lasts from twelve to four, and is termed the middle watch. At four a.m. the sleeping watch would be called in the same way, to come on deck and take the morning watch from four to eight, and so on for the forenoon watch, afternoon watch, the " dog watches," and first watch again. When in harbour, or at moorings, an "anchor watch" is kept by one man, whose spell is two hours, the port and starboard watch supplybig the men on alternate nights. This watch looks out for any dangers that a yacht may be in, summonses the watch below if necessary, and strikes the bells.