Ceremony and Traditions

The customs, traditions and unique language of the Royal Australian Navy are in the main based on those of the Royal Navy. Over the years, they have been adapted wherever necessary to meet Australian standards and requirements. Customs and traditions are important factors in the growth and maintenance of naval esprit de corps. In many cases they concern matters which cannot be adequately covered by official regulations nor, indeed, would it be appropriate for them to be dealt with in this way. Frequently the customs of the Navy originated in the need to have a code of conduct to ensure that not only officers worked together harmoniously, but also that their relationship with the men under their command was properly governed. The following examples of naval ceremonies and phraseology have been included to give a brief insight into this important part of naval life.

The Salute

Traces of the origin of saluting can be seen in the conventional exchange of this courtesy between officers and sailors today. Saluting with an open hand indicates friendly intentions and can be traced back to the Stone Age, when this form of salute indicated to people that both were unarmed; the hand being raised to indicate that it was clear of any object that could be used to injure the other. The hand carried to the head in salute has also descended to us from the Middle Ages, and is a further indication of friendship between people. The present day salute is a symbol of greeting, of mutual respect, trust and confidence, initiated by the junior in rank, but with no loss of dignity on either side.

Salutes between Ships

This is a naval tradition that dates back to the days of sail. If during an engagement, a sail was lowered by one vessel to reduce speed, thus allowing her to be overtaken, it was to the other ship an indication of submission.

Colours

The name by which the national flag/naval ensign is flown by a ship at sea. The term also signifies the naval ceremony of the daily hoisting and lowering of the national flag and/or ensign. In the Royal Australian Navy, colours for ships alongside and naval establishments are always hoisted at 8 o'clock in the morning and are lowered at sunset. Ships at sea fly the ensign twenty fours a day.

Ceremonial Sunset

Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunsets are perhaps the oldest and most significant of naval ceremonies. Although steeped in Naval history, they now usually conclude days of special importance. Beat to Quarters stems from the 17th Century when a drum roll or beating of drums was carried out in warships to signify a 'Call to Arms', when an enemy ship had been sighted. Today, Ships' Companies are called to 'Action Stations' by loud electronic alarms. Ceremonial Sunset is traditionally maintained by Navies throughout the world to salute the lowering of the Ensign at the close of the day. It was also the custom for Captains of Men of War to prove their gun powder was dry and ready for the next encounter. This they did by firing an evening gun and having their Marine Detachment fire a fusillade of rifles.

Medals and Decorations

The custom of wearing medals on the left breast can be traced back to the time of the Crusades, when Knights wore their badge of honour near the heart. Also, the left side was the side that was covered by the shield which was held on the left arm protecting both the heart and the badge of honour.

Ear-rings

It was common practice for seamen to wear a gold ear-ring in the left ear. The piercing of the ear was said to improve the health and sight of the wearer.

Naval Phrases

Admiral

The word Admiral is derived from the Arabic; it is a corruption of Amir-al-Bahr, meaning Commander of the Sea.

Aye Aye

The correct and seamanlike reply onboard a ship upon receipt of an order. The literal translation is 'At Your Service Always'. 'Aye Aye' is also the reply in the Royal Navy from a boat which had an officer below the rank of CAPT embarked.

Banyan

Nowadays, this term as come to mean a party or picnic/BBQ etc. In the days of sail, banyan days were days of the week when meat was not issued to the Ship's Company. This restriction was removed from the Royal Navy in 1884.

Goffer

A non-alcoholic drink, such as lemon squash etc.

Grog

This was the sailors' term for watered rum. In 1740, Admiral Vernon ordered water to be added to the rum that was issued to men of the Fleet. As can be understood, this particular order was not popular with the crews. The Admiral was in the practice of wearing clothes made from a material called 'grogram'. Thus, his nickname became 'Old Grog', and so it became the name for the beverage issued to the sailors.

House-wife

A repair kit containing needles and cotton etc for the purpose of repairing items of uniform.

Make and Mend

On an afternoon when there was no work (usually a Sunday), the crew were piped to make or mend clothes as appropriate. Uniforms beyond reasonable repair were ditched.

Mess

Comes from the Latin word 'mensa' meaning a table or the Gothic 'mesa' meaning a dish of food.

Messmates

Sailors eating from the same mess or at the same table. The sailor is always loyal and true to their messmates.

Mufti

These were an official class of men in India who at that time, interpreted the law. Known throughout India as Muftis', they dressed in civilian attire, unlike many other civil servants of the day. So, when a naval officer shifted out of uniform into civilian clothes to proceed ashore, it was spoken of as shifting into 'mufti'.

Splice the Mainbrace

There are many different explanations concerning the origin of this expression, but is generally considered that this operation was one of such rarity and difficulty in the days of sail, as to warrant the issue of an additional amount of rum to the Ship's Company. The Main Brace, being one of the heaviest pieces of running rigging in the ship was probably seldom spliced if damaged, but probably renewed in total instead. Today, the term is used to signify a change of monarch, or to congratulate the company of a ship.

Port

The term port is not of very modern origin, having been mentioned as far back as 1580. Legend has it that the name is derived from the ancient practice of placing the left side of the vessel towards the shore when going alongside, owing to the fact that the leeboard side could be easily unrigged so as to avoid damage to the rigging, whilst the starboard side would be required to safely navigate the vessel.

Starboard

Is derived from the old Saxon word 'steerboard', which was a paddle situated on the right hand quarter to act as a rudder.