What is The Dog Watch?

Beginning in the era of sail and extending into the days of powered vessels, indeed to around 1930 and in some instances extending through WW II, it was normal practice for the crew to work as two teams or watches (port and starboard). Each watch worked four hours "on" and four hours "off", through a 24 hour period.  

In order to vary this demanding schedule it was necessary to introduce an uneven number of watches per 24 hours. And so the Evening Watch (1600 - 2000) was divided into two, 2 hour watches; they became known as the First Dog Watch and the Last Dog Watch.

In sail, during these periods of "relaxation", opportunity was taken, when possible, to indulge in hobbies and yarn telling  - favourite pastimes during long periods at sea. Naturally, most tales were original, but with repeated telling, embellishments often occurred, adding spice (it was hoped) to the original story.

From 1930 there was a gradual transition to the readily accepted three-watch system. With this new system the practical need for Dog Watches ceased to exist, but today, both in the Royal Navy and the Royal Australian Navy, "the dogs", 1600 - 2000, still exist. It is still the time when dog - watch instruction is given and dog - watch sports & games are played and there is relaxation from the rigours of normal watch keeping.

The origin of the name, is however, obscure. It was in use we know in the Seventeenth Century. In The Dog Watch No. 28 (1971) p. 91, a believable origin is given: "Dog" could have been a sailor's version of "dock", to shorten, because of the decreased duration of the Watch. To say "Docked Watch" is clumsy, but "Dog Watch" runs easily off the tongue.

Thus, this is the origin of the title of this magazine which is published by The Shiplovers' Society of Victoria.