Hello all,

Pardon my ignorance, but I have a couple of questions pertaining to steam ships in the Civil War.

1. Could anyone tell me the purpose of a ship's bell? Wasn't it for ringing times for guard change and other duties?

Also, where on a ship would it be located? And what about a casemate ironclad? I have a pic of the inside of a cutaway model of the CSS Nuese and the bell is hanging from the ceiling (is "Overhead" correct naval terminalogy?) of the casemate or gun deck immediately aft of the pilot house. Is that the correct spot for it in a casemate ironclad? Or is it really up to the commander of the vessel, the designer/builder, or what?

2. Also, during the Civil War did warships such as casemate ironclads have steam whistles or horns like steam operated trains? Seems like they would need to toot in fog, etc..
Thanks. Just curious about ships' bells whistles.
David Edelen
Millbrook, Al.