The Boatswain's Pipe (colour photo)

The Boatswain's Pipe. The Boatswain's Pipe, used in the Navy both in the issuing of orders and for carrying out a salute, is of very ancient origin. It was introduced to the English Navy probably during the fifteenth century, when it was the badge of office of the Lord High Admiral. By about the middle of the seventeenth, it is recorded that the Captain, Master, Boatswain and "Cockson" only were "entitled to use and wear silver whistles." A custom observed in the Navy is that of "Piping the Side," when the quartermaster pipes the captain aboard; Royalty, foreign naval officers and commanding officers of the British Navy are honoured in the same manner. The boatswain's call is divided into four parts: the buoy, the gun, the keel and the shackle. Illustration for one of a set of 50 cigarette cards on the subject of Interesting Customs and Traditions of the Navy, Army and Airforce issued by Lambert & Butler in 1939.