Brass Bell 6"

In 1485, a mention is made of a brass ships bell aboard the British ship Grace Dieu, one of the first written mentions of ships bells being used aboard a sailing vessel. Almost ten years later, twin ships bells were noted aboard the Regent, as their use began to spread throughout Europe. As sailing expanded exponentially, with European countries pushing ever farther into the New World, ships bells took on a variety of responsibilities at sea. Aside from decorative bells, the first bells were perfect for marking the passage of time at sea and were used to indicate the different shifts of the sailors aboard ship. As this was the case, the bells on a ship tolled not according to the hour of the day, but to inform the sailors of the changing shifts.

First developed during the Bronze Age, around 3000 BC, antique bells became an important part of history, used across the globe as signals and beacons for many purposes. The Chinese were the first civilization to make truly well crafted antique bells, though Europeans were not far behind. Used particularly for religious services and to mark the passage of time, Christians used antique bells for their most important announcements and services. In the 1400s, as the European powers of Spain and Italy began to explore the world by sail, the brass ship bell took on an essential roll aboard ships. For both safety and to signal other ships as well as sailors, the large brass bell was implemented, allowing for a deep, resonating ring that could be heard for miles at sea.