These high quality reproduction Ships bells, cast from solid brass are replicas of the original Ships bells used by mariners over the ages.Bells have a centuries-long tradition of varied use in the navies and merchant fleets of the world. They have been used for signaling, keeping time, and providing alarm. One of the earliest recorded mentions of the shipboard bell was on the British ship Grace Dieu about 1485. The sounding of a ship's bell found a natural application as a warning signal to other vessels in poor visibility and fog.The Ringing a ship's bell in fog became customary. In 1858, British Naval Regulations made it mandatory in that function. Today, maritime law requires all ships to carry an efficient bell.