Is it a warning bell for sailors?
127201
The Lutine Bell was salvaged from a ship called the Lutine. It hangs in Llyods of London, the insurance brokers and it is rung to warn the brokers of big announcements, once for bad news, twice for good, I believe.
306084
There is much mystery and misinformation surrounding the origin and use of maritime distress calls. Most of the general populace believes that "SOS" signifies "Save Our Ship." Casual students of radio history are aware that the use of "SOS" was preceded by "CQD." Why were these signals adopted? When were they used? \n\nThe practical use of wireless telegraphy was made possible by Guglielmo Marconi in the closing years of the 19th century. Until then, ships at sea out of visual range were very much isolated from shore and other ships. The wireless telegraphers used Morse Code to send messages. Morse Code is a way of "tapping" out letters using a series of dots (short signals) and dashes (long signals). Spoken, short signals are referred to as "dih" and long signals are referred to as "dah". The letter "A" is represented by a dot followed by a dash: \n\n\n \n\nBy 1904 there were many trans-Atlantic British ships equipped with wireless communications. The wireless operators came from the ranks of railroad and postal telegraphers. In England a general call on the landline wire was a "CQ." "CQ" preceded time signals and special notices. "CQ" was generally adopted by telegraph and cable stations all over the world. By using "CQ," each station receives a message from a single transmission and an economy of time and labor was realized. Naturally, "CQ," went with the operators to sea and was likewise used for a general call. This sign for "all stations" was adopted soon after wireless came into being by both ships and shore stations. \nIn 1904, the Marconi company suggested the use of "CQD" for a distress signal. Although generally accepted to mean, "Come Quick Danger," that is not the case. It is a general call, "CQ," followed by "D," meaning distress. A strict interpretation would be "All stations, Distress." \n\nAt the second Berlin Radiotelegraphic Conference 1906, the subject of a danger signal was again addressed. Considerable discussion ensued and finally SOS was adopted. The thinking was that three dots, three dashes and three dots could not be misinterpreted.  It was to be sent together as one string.\n\nThe Marconi Yearbook of Wireless Telegraphy and Telephony , 1918 states, "This signal [SOS] was adopted simply on account of its easy radiation and its unmistakable character. There is no special signification in the letter themselves, and it is entirely incorrect to put full stops between them [the letters]." All the popular interpretations of "SOS," "Save or Ship," "Save Our Souls," or "Send Out Succour" are simply not valid. Stations hearing this distress call were to immediately cease handling traffic until the emergency was over and were likewise bound to answer the distress signal. \n\n \n \n\nAlthough the use of "SOS" was officially ratified in 1908, the use of "CQD" lingered for several more years, especially in British service where it originated. It is well documented in personal accounts of Harold Bride, second Radio Officer, and in the logs of the SS Carpathia, that the Titanic first used "CQD" to call for help. When Captain Smith gave the order to radio for help, first radio officer Jack Phillips sent "CQD" six times followed by the Titanic call letters, "MGY." Later, at Brides suggestion, Phillips interspersed his calls with "SOS." In SOS to the Rescue, 1935, author Baarslag notes, "Although adopted intentionally in 1908, it [SOS] had not completely displaced the older 'CQD' in the British operators' affections." (It is interesting to observe that Marconi was waiting in New York to return home to England on the Titanic.) \nThe first recorded American use of "SOS" was in August of 1909. W
67926
If you're really that worried, hiei4212, ring 911. Tell them it's a possible (preventable) suicide or self-injury. I can't believe people haven't said this already. Gee! Call now!
533563
It doesn't do to complain....no one wants to listen, so we may as well whistle while we work?!  Also, this reminded me of a saying my grandmother used to tell us every day when we'd leave...instead of saying have a good day she would say:\n\n"MAKE it a good day!"
452010
use one of those canned air boat horns- they should hear it then\n\nhave you tried unplugging your phone (if its a land line)
578323
Yes it rings bells\nYes I've seen it\nNo I don't know what it is sorry I too want to know what it is.
211760
that is part of the masonic distress symbol
633556
Not just high tower warning, but electrified unit warning.
252423
Yes, I read about it.\n\nHere's the Navy's official version:\nhttp://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq21-1.htm
434288
I don't know if they teach officers this, but us enlisted folks are taught that if there's a problem with a piece of equipment, you kick it or hit it with something to try and get it working again.  We call this "mechanical agitation."  I know that has nothing to do with plebes, but I just felt like saying it.  Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.
523838
Well, the sound of the school bell depends on the type of scholl, like elementary and middle school. for elementary, it could be rrring!  rrrring!    for middle school its ding! ding! ding!
601014
I heard about this one ages ago but was never able to confirm it. Supposedly, back in medieval days, the ring bearer rang a bell before the bride came down the aisle in an effort to ward off evil spirits. Apparently, back then, the ring bearer did not actually carry the ring, another wedding party member did. It was the ring bearer's only duty to ring the bell.
647320
ok i'm sorry, but rather than write it all out, please go here:  http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/weather-sailor.html\n\nsmooth sailing
391123
no, but sometimes we trolls yodel. I think it's more effective than whistling
348155
Warning Sign by Coldplay?
654371
u get a bigger bell. the kind used in churches. lol. good idea?sorry if it sounds  like a poor  joke
396595
thanks for the warning