Handcrafted Nautical Decor - Brass Plated Hand Bell 7"

Aside from marking time and sailors’ shifts, these ships bells for sale became an important safety instrument aboard all sailing vessels. It became customary for a ship to toll its brass bell in fog and other inclement weather, alerting nearby ships as to relative locations. In 1858 according to British Navy Regulations, the custom of ringing a brass hand bell, like these ships bells for sale, during fog became mandatory in an attempt to improve safety, particularly near ports. These ships bells for sale were also used as an alarm to alert sailors to an attack on the ship or if there was a fire. During a fire the bell would be rung rapidly for a short time, followed by one to three rings to indicate the location of the fire; one ring for forward, two for mid-ship, and three for aft.