Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

"Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" was showing on TV last night, so I sat down and watched it, even though I have seen it before. Because it is a great show that showcases naval traditions originating from the age of sail.

Did you know, the show is actually based on a character created by Patrick O'Brian for his series of novels, with the first book being "Master and Commander"?
For me, the plot is not really that interesting. What catches my attention is the research done into the naval customs and traditions that were portrayed in the film. The traditional toast of the day for Saturday, "To wives and sweethearts, may they never meet" is one of them. The use of the boatswain's call to get people to do certain tasks is another longstanding naval tradition that still is in place today. And for those who don't know the origins of the phrase "to show your true colours", it actually came from this period as well, when ships hoisted up the flags of their nations (their true colours) before they engaged in battle. Other traditions, such as striking the bell to signal the change of watch (and using an hourglass to keep time) were also portrayed in the movie.

For a good book on naval customs and traditions, nothing beats Naval Ceremonies, Customs, and Traditions, Sixth Edition from the US Naval Institute.