Ship's Bell

[jeffery carson]

I am in the process of building new masts for my 36' ketch. Immediately prior to removing the old masts, I had my daughter ring the bell mounted on the mizzen that has been with the boat since I've owned her (and I presume since she was built). That bell has now been tucked away safely onboard.

Here's my question...

I'd been given a very nice ship's bell many years ago and have been keeping it polished and clean in my basement awaiting a boat. This bell is a more appropriate size for Sugaree, the original being fairly small. I'm already preparing for a name change (to Sugaree) with a repaint and am wondering if I'm pushing things by changing the bell as well.

I don't want to push my luck or fortune and don't know if I should change the bell, or if because of the name change, the new bell would bee appropriate. I have also thought of mounting the new bell on the mizzen and the old either forward somewhere or down below. Perhaps if I bring the new bell aboard while christening a friend's new baby?

Should I change bells??

Jeff

[Vince Brennan]

I posed this to several European fori and the consensus is that:
only one bell (mounted) aboard at a time..
if the present bell is named, then it should stay with the vessel, but if it's NOT engraved, a libational offering to Poseidon should suffice to validate it's replacement. Even though He records the name of the ship in his logs, and doesn't necessarily take notice of such changes, it can't hurt to be propitiary.In any event, if the bell IS named and you plan on re-naming the vessel (with, of course, all the proper ceremony required therefor) then the bell can be replaced at the same time that all named equipment is removed.

(see CCMANUAL's post


Here is the ceremony:

or John VIGOR'S (http://www.48north.com/mr_offline/denaming.htm) article from his book, "How to re-name your boat..... and 19 other useful ceremonies..."

Anyhow, that's what I come up with.

[paladin]

UuuuuuhhhhhhhhH!.....When I sold Tana Mari I kept the bell. Is that bad?.....

[Vince Brennan]

Ummmm... good question. Did the new owner keep the same name or rename her when you sold her?

[paladin]

kept the same name as I understand. He was considering changing the name, but I haven't heard.

[jeffery carson]

Thanks,

I feel better now. The existing bell is quite nice, but small. I think it's destined for our back deck. The new bell will be suitably engraved and mounted onboard.

Anyone know if Poseidon prefers rum or scotch?

Jeff

[paladin]

Rum just seems more traditional.

[gavinpascoe]

As he's Greek, I always give him some wine before I take a big or potentially dangerous trip. Sometimes if its been a particularly nice time I give him some more in gratitude.

[gavinpascoe]

Actually I'm sure Manannan Mac Lir would appreciate a good whiskey/whisky.

[Vince Brennan]

Diffren' shtrokes fer differn' (hic) folksh!