The Ambassador's Son Discussion Thread

[maikafanawen]

Here is some useful information concerning Ship's Time. Taken from the Appendix to 'The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle'

Ship's Time

On sailing ships crews were divided into teams so as to share all work. These teams were called watches. On the North Wind, Meri Loliway has the command of one watch, Frenchy--now Marx, as residing second mate--takes charge of the second.

The day was broken up into time periods--also called watches--as follows:

Midwatch ran from midnight to 4:00 AM;
morning watch ran from 4:00 AM to 8:00 AM;
forenoon watch ran from 8:00 AM to 12:00 noon;
afternoon watch ran from 12:00 noon to 4:00 PM;
first dog watch ran from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM;
second dog watch ran from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM;
night watch ran from 8:00 PM to midnight.

A typical day would have a sailor working alternate watches, a system called "watch and watch," in this fashion:

off during midwatch; work morning watch;
off forenoon watch; work afternoon watch;
off first dog watch; work second dog watch;
off night watch.

This meant that on the following day the sailor's schedule would be:

Work during midwatch; off morning watch;
work forenoon watch; off afternoon watch;
work first dog watch; off second dog watch;
work night watch.

And so on....

This pattern of watch and watch meant that no sailor ever had more than four hours sleep at a time. Of course, if there was a need, such as general reseting or overhaul of the sails--or a storm--all hands could be called, and they would report even if it was not their watch. (Or if it was a battle!)

To keep track of time, the mates ran the ship's bell every half hour. They did it this way:

1 bell meant the first half hour after the watch began;
2 bells meant the second half hour;
3 bells meant the third half hour;
4 bells meant the fourth half hour;
5 bells meant the fifth half hour;
6 bells meant the sixth half hour;
7 bells meant the seventh half hour;
8 bells mean the eighth half hour and the end of the watch.

For example, if two bells ran out during the first dog watch, it would be, by land reckoning, 5:00 PM.

That should help.

I think a good idea would be to use the place where it says "Past subject:" to type in the watch, which mate's in charge and maybe which half hour if its relevant. If its too confusing, one doesn't have to worry about it. We may need to figure out who is on whose watch.

Callath is on Marx's; Calnan is on Loliway's -- that's for the antagonism etc.; Devon will be on Marx's when he heals.; Telson can be on Loliway's. if that's all okay with everyone.

More later

-Maikafanawen

Oh, and Himaran, we can have The Might of Realge be closest. Sound good? We can get into this more later.