Records of epic voyages tell us that this device was used by the helmsman to measure time in half hour increments. Watches or shifts were organized into increments of four hours; a custom that is still widely used. With the sandglass at his side, the helmsman would signal the passing of half hour increments starting with the strike of one bell at the end of the first half hour, two at 2nd and so on until reaching eight bells which signaled the end of the watch.

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