11/14/08: Member suspended 30 days for obscene posts.
Posted
I'd like to hear some stories surrounding the bosun's pipe ... learning it, practicing and the goof-ups for the 1MC.
I seem to recall some pretty good, and some not-so-good pipes. Funniest I ever saw was the sideboy detail greeting then SECTRANS Liz Dole to the POLAR STAR. Her heel caught in the gangway grate, and an ensign came to her rescue, grabbing her ankle and removing the shoe. Red light!
Bosun's Call; I believe the proper terminology is Bosun's Call
quote:
History of the Boatswain's Call
The Boatswain's Call,or whistle, was once the only method other than the human voice of passing orders to men on board ship. Today more sophisticated communications systems exist but the Royal Navy, always believers in tradition, still use the Boatswain's Call as a mark of respect to pipe the Captain or special visitors on board, or for emphasising important orders. The boatswain was the officer in charge of rigging, sails and sailing equipment. He therefore needed to issue orders more often than other officers and so the whistle was named after him. In the old days men were rigidly trained, almost like sheepdogs, to respond immediately to the piping of the Call. At sea, in moments of danger - particularly in storms - they could be counted on to hear the high-pitched tones of the Call, and react without delay. A shouted order may not have been heard above the sound of howling winds and lashing waves. Instructions to hoist sails, haul or let go ropes were conveyed by different notes and pitches. It is known that the galley slaves of Rome and Greece kept stroke to the sound of a flute or whistle similar to the Boatswain's Call. It was first used on English ships in the thirteenth century, during the crusades, and became known as "The Call" about 1670 when the Lord High Admiral of the Navy wore a gold whistle as a badge of rank. This was known as the "Whistle of Honour." The ordinary whistle of command was issued in silver and often each officer had his own Call decorated with rope designs and ship's anchors. Each section of the Boatswain's Call has a nautical name. The ball is the buoy; the mouthpiece is the gun; the ring is called the shackle and the leaf is called the keel.
I first learned how to make pipes with it when I was assigned to the 2nd Division onboard the USS SPERRY (AS12) in Ballast Point, San Diego. Across the dock from us was an 82' WPB; The PT WINSLOW I think. The time span was 1971...
Awesome history lesson Nobodyaskedmebut. When I was a fireman on the Sherman in 94,I had a GMC that would give us $10 for every pipe we brought him, didn't last long though.
When I was a SN striking BM my OIC and XPO would make me practice in front of the MKC's berthing area just to make him mad. He was not a big fan of the Bosun Pipe! Just the thought of it brings back great memories!
I have some bad news for the tradition of Bosun Pipe. It is no longer a requirement for BM3. It is now left to us to pass it on. I find it very troubling that this wonderful tradition is no longer required. We will just have to instill pride ourselves and ensure it continues since no one else seems to care.
It's not dead yet though! I have used mine twice in the last year, once sadly at a shipmate's funeral and once proudly at a shipmate's retirement.
I remember receiving my first one on the CGC SENECA after becoming a qualified BMOW and proving to the BM2 that I could use it without looking dumb trying to pipe long chow.
As I walked down the passageway tooting my new trophy, one of the DC's came out of their shop and said "wow you got your bosun pipe huh? Congrats, let me see it" So I proudly (and retrospectively, stupidly) hand it over and he proceeds to set it on his bench and smash it to smithereens with a hammer...
