#watch system

Midshipmen took a full part in the watch system of the ship. According to Basil Hall, ‘These young gentlemen are divided into three watches, and the individuals of each part are stationed on different parts of the deck. The mate of the watch, who is the principal person amongst them, with two or three youngsters, walks on the quarterdeck ... Another midshipman, generally the second in seniority, has the honour of being posted on the forecastle; while a third, stationed abaft, walks on the poop.’ As a seaman, Robert Wilson saw midshipmen differently. ‘Their duty in watches is to call the officer of the next watch, to heave the log and mark the log board, and many other things as required.’ During tacking ship, ‘The midshipmen stand on each other’s toes on the quarterdeck, except one or two who are on the forecastle.’ Another was in charge of signals. However, at other times a midshipman’s life was more exciting. He often had command of one of the ship’s boats, and might even be allowed to take command of a prize, and navigate into port.

— Brian Lavery, Nelson's Navy: The Ships, Men and Organisation, 1793 - 1815

The watches on board the ship are held in a four-hour rotation. So that the crew members were not forced to always be on the same watch, the watch from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. was divided into two hours each day. The first was called dogwatch and the second dogwatch.

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This division shitfs the entire watch rotation every 24 hours, ensuring all sailors have ample opportunity to sample the particular joys associated with each ( from polishing the ship’s brass during the midwatch, to scrubbing the deck while standing the morning watch). The choice of time also allows both watches, to eat at about the traditional time.

The watches on board a ship were divided into four-hour periods (8 bells) and the six watches were named as follows. First watch, middle watch, morning watch, forenoon watch, afternoon watch, first dog watch and second dog watch. Each watch fulfilled its tasks in its four hours and so that each team did not always have the same watch, the dog watch was divided into two hours so that the watches were spread out and it became fairer. The traditional watch system of the Royal Navy was the two watch system. This meant that there were two watches, which were distributed throughout the day.

The two watch system known and used since the 16th century

In 1800, some officers began to denounce this system as outdated and unnecessary, because a trimmed crew did not need so many men on watch. And so some captains developed the three-watch system.

The three watch system which was used since 1800