How many times is the bell struck at the end of a four-hour watch?

At the end of a four-hour watch, the bell is struck eight times. This is because the traditional method of signaling time at sea involves striking the bell once for each half hour. Therefore, for a four-hour watch, which consists of eight half-hour intervals (2 strikes for each half hour), the total comes to eight strikes at the end. Understanding this helps in grasping the ritualistic communication methods used in maritime practices, reflecting the importance of timekeeping at sea.