half past eight
`` Well , they have two watches on board ship , which are called the larbord and the starbord watches . In large vessels , they are under the care of the first and second mates . The twenty-four hours , on board ship , are divided into five watches of four hours each , and two dog-watches of two hours each . During these watches , the bell is struck every half hour ; that is , one bell at half past eight ; two bells at nine , three bells at half-past nine ; and so on , till twelve , when it is eight bells , at which time one watch goes below , and the other comes on deck . At half past twelve the bell strikes one again ; at one it strikes twice , and so on . Do you understand me ? '' `` I think I do ; but when are the dog-watches ? '