The proper name of the shrill metal whistle, used by the navy is the boatswain’s call, and sounding it is known as piping. The term “Piping the Side” originated in the days of sailing ships, from the way visiting captains arrived on board. Instead of climbing the ladders, they were hoisted aboard by a group of sailors called the Side Party, a title shortened in time to “the side.” The order to “pipe the side” was given by the officer of the watch, and the boatswain relayed this to the men using his call.
This salute to a visiting dignitary now consists of the call being blown twice, once as the dignitary’s boat draws alongside the ship’s accommodation ladder, and again as that person mounts the ladder and steps inboard. The procedure is reversed as the dignitary departs. Traditionally, the side is also piped when a corpse is brought on board, taken ashore, or committed to the deep.
The boatswain’s call dates from the era of the Greek and Roman galleys, when the stroke of the oars was called with a whistle. The call was first used in English ships about the middle of the 13th century.
In the Royal Navy, the boatswain’s call was worn as a badge of rank, probably because it had always been used for passing orders. As long ago as 1485, it was worn as a badge by the Lord High Admiral of England. In 1645, it was carried only by ship’s masters, boatswains and coxswains; now it is the badge of office of quartermasters and boatswain’s mates.
“To Pipe” means to sound the boatswain’s call and follow up with the spoken order, usually over the ship’s broadcast system. However, some “pipes” are orders in themselves and require no spoken order. The boatswain’s call epitomizes the smooth, orderly fashion in which the routines of the 24-hour day onboard a warship at sea are conducted.
The term “pipe down” is a very old naval expression that has found its way into civilian usage. It has several meanings: a holiday from all work that is non-essential; an order to keep quiet after “lights out;” or simply a dismissal when a particular chore has been completed. The army has a similar expression, to “stand down.”
A long tradition related to the boatswain’s call that is little known outside the navy is that whistling is forbidden in HMS ships, so that it will not be confused with the pipe.
This salute to a visiting dignitary now consists of the call being blown twice, once as the dignitary’s boat draws alongside the ship’s accommodation ladder, and again as that person mounts the ladder and steps inboard. The procedure is reversed as the dignitary departs. Traditionally, the side is also piped when a corpse is brought on board, taken ashore, or committed to the deep.
The boatswain’s call dates from the era of the Greek and Roman galleys, when the stroke of the oars was called with a whistle. The call was first used in English ships about the middle of the 13th century.
In the Royal Navy, the boatswain’s call was worn as a badge of rank, probably because it had always been used for passing orders. As long ago as 1485, it was worn as a badge by the Lord High Admiral of England. In 1645, it was carried only by ship’s masters, boatswains and coxswains; now it is the badge of office of quartermasters and boatswain’s mates.
“To Pipe” means to sound the boatswain’s call and follow up with the spoken order, usually over the ship’s broadcast system. However, some “pipes” are orders in themselves and require no spoken order. The boatswain’s call epitomizes the smooth, orderly fashion in which the routines of the 24-hour day onboard a warship at sea are conducted.
The term “pipe down” is a very old naval expression that has found its way into civilian usage. It has several meanings: a holiday from all work that is non-essential; an order to keep quiet after “lights out;” or simply a dismissal when a particular chore has been completed. The army has a similar expression, to “stand down.”
A long tradition related to the boatswain’s call that is little known outside the navy is that whistling is forbidden in HMS ships, so that it will not be confused with the pipe.
