half after seven
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 . At eight the day 's work begins , and lasts until sundown , with the exception of an hour for dinner . The discipline of the ship requires every man to be at work upon something when he is up on deck , except at night and on Sundays . No conversation is allowed among the crew at their duty .