A while back I was given a Boatswain's Pipe and I would sort of like to put it to work in some anthentic fashion while playing gigs for sailors.

I was in the Navy (l951-54) on the USS Helena (a heavy cruiser) and distinctly remember being awaken every morning by one of these little whistles. There would be a low note (formed by partially covering the hole in the end of the thing) this would be followed by a high note (formed by uncovering the hole) these notes would be repeated twice followed by a long trailing off to a low note. (X2). This would then be followed by some announcement such as "Now hear this, now hear this, up all hand........"

There are other tunes (? if you could call them that) such as one used to Pipe someone of high rank on board ship and a variety of tunes used for various purposes. (I can't remember any of them)

I would be interested in knowing anything about the history of the Boatswain's Pipe, if it is still being used by the modern navy, and any of the tunes(?) that one could play. Thought I was making progress on the internet when I hit on naval ceremonies, however I was stopped ~ apparently being some sort of security risk.

Cap't Bob