Why do U.S. Navy ships strike bells to denote time?

The practice of striking bells on U.S. Navy ships to denote time is rooted in historical methods of timekeeping. Before modern timekeeping devices like chronometers were widely available, sailors used sandglasses, commonly referred to as hourglasses, to measure time intervals. In this context, bells served as a method to indicate the passage of time more clearly and audibly among crew members.

Typically, a bell would be struck every half-hour, with the number of strikes corresponding to the elapsed time. This system allowed crew members to keep track of time while performing their duties on deck or below. The tradition has continued into modern times, where the interval of ringing bells has become a formalized practice in naval operations.

While other options might reference various activities on a ship, they do not address the specific historical context of timekeeping that led to the adoption of the bell system. Striking bells during holidays, signaling other ships, or announcing meal times do not connect directly to the traditional method of measuring time at sea and would not adequately explain the purpose behind this mariner custom.