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When the crew first came on board they were split into two shifts. These
were called the port and starboard watches after the two sides of the
ship.
Each man had a partner on the other watch that he shared his sleeping
space (and probably his lice and fleas) with.
The time of the watches was measured with a sandglass and the bell
was rung once every half hour.
Since the watches lasted for four hours there were eight bells in a watch.
Sailors were punished
for sleeping on their watch!
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