Oct. 3, 2016

DING! DING! History and Heritage Blog on Ships' Bells, Arriving!

For centuries, bells have had a long tradition of use in the navies and merchant fleets around the world. From time-keeping, signaling, and sounding alarms to a wide variety of ceremonial uses, ships' bells have long occupied a place of importance in the U.S. Navy. Bells cast from metal were first developed in the Bronze Age.One of the earliest

June 23, 2016

Nautical Terms and Naval Expressions - Part Two

Have you ever wondered why a "peacoat" is called a peacoat? Why in the world is the bathroom called the "head?" How did the term  "ensign" come to be used to refer to both a flag and an officer? The language of the Navy can leave you wondering where Sailors came up with these terms and expressions. The second installment in our series explores five

March 31, 2015

Silent Professionals: History of the Rank of Chief Petty Officer

Since the days of antiquity, highly skilled seamen have been prized for their knowledge and skill. As vessels grew more complex, duties began to split into different responsibilities, which evolved into a rating system that was first formally organized by the Royal Navy and later adopted by the U.S. Navy. This system of rank and position aboard a