4 p.m.
These two worthies , together with the carpenter and the sailmaker , if there be one , stand no watch , but , being employed all day , are allowed to `` sleep in '' at night , unless `` all hands '' are called . The crew are divided into two watches . Of these the chief mate commands the larboard , and the second mate the starboard , being on and off duty , or on deck and below , every other four hours . The watch from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. is divided into two half , or dog , watches . By this means they divide the twenty-four hours into seven instead of six , and thus shift the hours every night . The morning commences with the watch on deck turning-to at daybreak , and washing-down , scrubbing , and swabbing the decks . This , with filling the `` scuttle butt '' with fresh water , and coiling up the rigging , usually occupies the time until seven bells -LRB- half after seven -RRB- , when all hands get breakfast .