A dog watch is a work shift, also known as a "watch", in a maritime watch system that is half the length of a standard watch period. This is typically formed by splitting a single four-hour watch period between 16:00 and 20:00 (4 pm and 8 pm) to form two two-hour dog watches, with the "first" dog watch from 16:00 to 18:00 (4 pm to 6 pm) and the "second" or "last" dog watch from 18:00 to 20:00 (6 pm to 8 pm).
This watch exists because, in order for the crew to rotate through all the watches, it is necessary to have an odd number of watches in a ship's day. Splitting one of the watches in half allows the sailors to stand different watches instead of one team being forced to stand the mid-watch every night. The choice of time also allows both watches, if there are only two, to eat an evening meal at about the traditional time.[1]
The Oxford English Dictionary states that the word 'dogwatch' is a direct translation from either German or Dutch of a similar term. It originally referred to the night-watch on ships — that is, the time when (on land) all but the dogs were asleep.[2] The name is also said to be derived from Sirius, the "Dog Star", on the claim that Sirius was the first star that can be seen at night.[3] An alternative folk etymology is that the name arose because someone tasked with one of these 'half' watches was said to be 'dodging the watch', taking or standing the 'dodge watch'. This became shortened to 'dog watch'. Another variation is that those sleeping get only 'dog sleep' in this watch. Stephen Maturin of Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey–Maturin series retells the 19th century humourist Theodore Hook's pun that the dog watch is so-named because it is "cur-tailed" ("curtailed", i.e. shortened).[4]
The traditional watch system arose from sailing ships of the late 19th century and was used by the Royal Navy and many other Commonwealth navies. It consisted of 5 four-hour periods and 2 two-hour periods. Those members of the crew whose work must be done at all times of the day were assigned to one of two divisions: the starboard or the port division. These can be further divided into two parts, e.g., First Port, Second Starboard.
The Royal Navy traditional submarine three watch system is 2 on 4 off during the day (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and 3 on 6 off during the night (8 p.m. to 8 a.m.).
^Gray, Tony. . The British Horological Institute. Archived from the original on June 12, 2011.
^dogwatch , n. Oxford English Dictionary. 1933. p. 585 – via Internet Archive.
^. HMS-Victory.com. Archived from the original on July 17, 2008. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
^Smyth, William (1867). The Sailor's Word-Book: An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. London: Blackie & Son. from the original on January 4, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
^United States Naval Institute (2017) [1902]. The Bluejackets' Manual (25th ed.). Annapolis, MD: United States Naval Institute. p. 357. ISBN978-1612519746.
External linksedit
The dictionary definition of dogwatch at Wiktionary
April 11, 2024
watch, other, uses, disambiguation, watch, work, shift, also, known, watch, maritime, watch, system, that, half, length, standard, watch, period, this, typically, formed, splitting, single, four, hour, watch, period, between, form, hour, watches, with, first, . For other uses see Dog watch disambiguation A dog watch is a work shift also known as a watch in a maritime watch system that is half the length of a standard watch period This is typically formed by splitting a single four hour watch period between 16 00 and 20 00 4 pm and 8 pm to form two two hour dog watches with the first dog watch from 16 00 to 18 00 4 pm to 6 pm and the second or last dog watch from 18 00 to 20 00 6 pm to 8 pm This watch exists because in order for the crew to rotate through all the watches it is necessary to have an odd number of watches in a ship s day Splitting one of the watches in half allows the sailors to stand different watches instead of one team being forced to stand the mid watch every night The choice of time also allows both watches if there are only two to eat an evening meal at about the traditional time 1 Contents 1 Etymology 2 Traditional watch system 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksEtymology edit nbsp Canis Major with SiriusThe Oxford English Dictionary states that the word dogwatch is a direct translation from either German or Dutch of a similar term It originally referred to the night watch on ships that is the time when on land all but the dogs were asleep 2 The name is also said to be derived from Sirius the Dog Star on the claim that Sirius was the first star that can be seen at night 3 An alternative folk etymology is that the name arose because someone tasked with one of these half watches was said to be dodging the watch taking or standing the dodge watch This became shortened to dog watch Another variation is that those sleeping get only dog sleep in this watch Stephen Maturin of Patrick O Brian s Aubrey Maturin series retells the 19th century humourist Theodore Hook s pun that the dog watch is so named because it is cur tailed curtailed i e shortened 4 Traditional watch system editA 2 section dogged watch 5 Name Time Day 1 Day 2 Day 3First watch 2000 0000 Team 1 Team 2 Team 1Middle watch 0000 0400 Team 2 Team 1 Team 2Morning watch 0400 0800 Team 1 Team 2 Team 1Forenoon watch 0800 1200 Team 2 Team 1 Team 2Afternoon watch 1200 1600 Team 1 Team 2 Team 1First dog watch 1600 1800 Team 2 Team 1 Team 2Second dog watch 1800 2000 Team 1 Team 2 Team 1The traditional watch system arose from sailing ships of the late 19th century and was used by the Royal Navy and many other Commonwealth navies It consisted of 5 four hour periods and 2 two hour periods Those members of the crew whose work must be done at all times of the day were assigned to one of two divisions the starboard or the port division These can be further divided into two parts e g First Port Second Starboard The Royal Navy traditional submarine three watch system is 2 on 4 off during the day 8 a m to 8 p m and 3 on 6 off during the night 8 p m to 8 a m See also editShip s bell Watch systemReferences edit Gray Tony Workshop Hints Ships Bells The British Horological Institute Archived from the original on June 12 2011 dogwatch n Oxford English Dictionary 1933 p 585 via Internet Archive Maths amp DT HMS Victory com Archived from the original on July 17 2008 Retrieved November 14 2012 Smyth William 1867 The Sailor s Word Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms including Some More Especially Military and Scientific but Useful to Seamen as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers etc London Blackie amp Son Archived from the original on January 4 2020 Retrieved May 27 2020 United States Naval Institute 2017 1902 The Bluejackets Manual 25th ed Annapolis MD United States Naval Institute p 357 ISBN 978 1612519746 External links edit nbsp The dictionary definition of dogwatch at Wiktionary Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Dog watch amp oldid 1203998834, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
