Historically the Royal Navy passed orders
and information by piping. Every Sea Cadet
is shown how to use a “Boatswain’s Call” and
how to pipe an order. Some pipes are orders
in themselves and do not require any verbal
addition.
The use of the Boatswain's Call in English
ships can be traced back to the days of the
Crusades, AD 1248. In former days it was
worn in English ships as an honoured badge
of rank, probably because it had always been
used for passing orders. As long ago as 1485
it was worn as the badge of the Lord High
Admiral of England and was worn by his
successor in office up to 1562.
