The bells are struck in this way : one stroke (or one bell) is half past twelve; two strokes struck quickly (or two bells) one o'clock ; two strokes struck quickly, followed by one (or three bells), half-past one; a double two (or four bells) two o'clock ; a double two and one (or five bells) half-past two; a treble two (or six bells) three o'clock; a treble two and one (or seven bells) half-past three ; four double strokes (or eight bells) four o'clock. Then commences one bell for half-past four, two bells for five o'clock, and so on, eight bells struck every four hours.
But during the dog watches after four bells have been struck for six o'clock, one bell is struck for half past six, two bells for seven o'clock, three bells for half-past seven and eight bells again for eight o'clock.
HELM.—When watches are set it is usual for one of the crew to steer, and not the master or mate. Two men out of each watch are usually selected (generally among themselves) to steer, who are known to be good helmsmen. Each man is at the helm for two hours, and this is called a " trick." When the time has expired the other man goes aft as four bells are struck. If he does not go immediately he is reminded by the hail "Spell 0!" The man who relieves should always, if the weather will permit, come aft along the lee side, and, crossing over the tiller, from the lee side to weather side, come behind the other helmsman, and take the lines out of his hand from abaft.
The man, as he gives up the helm, states the course as E.S.E., or " Full and by," as the case may be. It is the duty of the new corner to repeat the course, to show that he understands it, and the officer in charge of the deck, should be near to hear that the course is correctly given. The relieved man retires behind the other one, crosses the tiller, and finds his way forward along the lee side of the yacht.
If the officer of the watch requires the course altered, he gives the course anew, as E. by S., or " keep her off," or " bring her to," or " no more away," &c., and it is the duty of the man at the helm, to repeat the order audibly, to show that he understands it. In bad weather, it is usual to place a second hand at the helm, and then the man whose trick it is, stands to windward of the tiller with the weather tiller line in his hand, and the other to leeward with the lee tiller line. He assists in pushing the tiller to windward, or hauling it to leeward, as occasion requires. Frequently a young hand is given a spell at the
helm in light winds, in order that he may gain a knowledge of steering.
Tus Caxw.—When an order is given to any member of the crew by the master or the mate, such as " Ease the fore sheet," or " Take in the slack of that rope," it is the duty of the man to audibly repeat the order to show that he understands it, as " Ease the fore sheet, sir," &c. While the crew are at work, or during the watches from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., there should be nothing like " recreation " permitted on the fore deck or in the forecastle, but the men should go about their work quietly, never converse loudly, nor hail one another from one end of the vessel to the other. All orders should be obeyed instantly and cheer fully, with a ready response or a cheery " Ay ay, sir ! " Nothing could be worse than for the crew when an order is given to sit and stare, and then to leisurely proceed to do it with an air which plainly says, " I am doing it, but you might just as well have done it yourself." In most cases, in working the yacht the master should give the order to the mate, who will direct the particular man or men who are to carry out the order. As before said, the order should be obeyed with alacrity ; if it is not, it will appear that the men do not know how to execute it, or that they are so stupid that they do not understand it, or that they are such bad sailors that they do not know that a seaman's first duty is ready obedience.
Whenever any member of the crew shows the least slackness in executing orders or in any way neglects the ship's work, shows symptoms of insubordination, indulges in mutinous talk, gives insolent or even pert answers, he should be instantly warned by the master of the mistake he has made, and upon the second offence should be given his " discharge ticket." If a seaman obeys all orders promptly and executes them con scientiously, he will be respected by the master and other officers ; but if he is doubtful in obedience and a sloven in his work, the master, very properly, will have a contempt for him, and will take advantage of the first opportunity for unshipping him.
The master should take every precaution to prevent drunkenness among the crew, and should never overlook more than one offence in a season. This rule should be observed with great strictness.
Smoking should be permitted on the fore deck after dinner and during the dog watches. Smoking should not be permitted at other times, nor should smoking be ever permitted below.