
That was before the opening of the many theme pubs and restaurants throughout the world that have appropriated the name. Dunkling and Wright's Wordsworth Dictionary of Pub Names, 1994, estimated that there were just 10 pubs of that name in the UK in the 1980s. There are several authentic old 'Pig and Whistle' pubs in the UK, but the name was in reality never commonplace. The general explanation of the bosun’s whistle and the examples of different commands are shown at the video below.The 'Pig and Whistle' is an archetypal pub name and is as likely to crop up in Olde England costume dramas as are men in tights and buxom serving wenches. Officer of the Day: Call the Officer of the Day to the Gangway. General Call: Piped before an announcement.


Pipe aboard: Flag-rank officers or an important guest is boarding a Navy ship.Dimensions of standard whistle Its length is 12.7 cm (5 inches) and its weight is 45 grams with chain. The bosun’s whistle made of brass or lead is used with 99 cm (39 inches) long-chain / chain knitted hand finer. 1820ĭue to the special angled structure of the bosun’s whistle, the high-pitched sound can be heard easily among many noise that occurs on the deck, even in stormy weather.Īccording to British maritime standards, the current form of bosun’s whistle was designed in 1870, it was patented and started to be used in ships to announce standard orders to personnel. It is sometimes accompanied by other auditive features such as ruffles and flourishes, voice commands and announcements, or even a gun salute. It is now used in traditional bugle calls such as Evening Colors/Sunset, and in other ceremonies in most modern navies. Voice orders could not be heard over the sounds of the sea, wind noise and the sounds of battle, so, bosun’s whistle had been used to help the crew understand the orders. It was first used in the time of the Crusaders (1262) and Romans, in the navies of the Mediterranean countries in the 13th and 14th centuries to inform the rowers about the sudden attacks that may come to their ships. It’s also called as boatswain’s call, boatswain’s pipe or bosun’s pipe. What is that whistle? Why is it used? Let’s answer these questions to quench your curiosity.Ī bosun’s whistle is a pipe or a non-diaphragm type whistle used on naval ships by a boatswain. Because a well-dressed sailor, which is expected to carry a gun or a rifle, holding a small whistle and blowing it when a high-rank officer is on board. Like many of the naval customs, this is a curious issue for civilians. As we pass near a naval ship, we hear a shrill voice echoing in the air sometimes.
