he Engineers Bell Book

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Engineman 1&C - Advanced Engine Mechanics

The Bell Book

ENGINEERS BELL BOOK.The Engineers Bell Book, NAVSEA 3120/ 1 (figure 2-2), is a record of all bells, signals, and other orders received by the throttleman regarding movement of the ships propellers. Entries are made in the Bell Book by the throttleman (or an assistant) as soon as an order is received. Entries may be made by an assistant when the ship is entering or leaving port, or engaging in any maneuver which is likely to involve numerous or rapid speed changes. This procedure allows the throttleman to devote his undivided attention to answering the signals.

The Bell Book is maintained in the following manner:

1. A separate bell sheet is used for each shaft each day, except where more than one shaft is controlled by the same throttle station, in which case the same bell sheet is used to record the orders for all shafts controlled by the station. All sheets for the same date are filed together as a single record.

2. The time of receipt of the order is recorded in column number 1 (figure 2-2).

3. The order received is recorded in column number 2. Minor speed changes (generally re-ceived via revolution telegraph) are recorded by entering the number of rpm ordered. Major speed changes (normally received via engine order telegraph) are recorded using the following symbols:

1 /3 ahead 1/3 speed

2/3 ahead 2/3 speed

I ahead standard speed

II ahead full speed

III ahead flank speed

Z stop

B1/3 back 1/3 speed

B2/3 back 2/3 speed

BF back full speed

BEM back emergency speed

4. The number of revolutions corresponding to the major speed change ordered is entered in column 3. (NOTE: When the order received is recorded as rpm in column 2 (minor speed changes), no entry is made in column 3.)

5. The shaft revolution counter reading (total rpm) at the time of the speed change is recorded in column 4. The shaft revolution counter readingas taken hourly on the hour, while underwayalso is entered in column 4.

Ships and craft equipped with controllable reversible pitch propellers record in column 4 the propeller pitch in feed and fractions of feet set in response to a signaled speed change, rather than the shaft revolution counter readings. The entries for astern pitch are preceded by the letter B. Each hour on the hour, entries are made of counter readings, thus facilitating the calculation of engine miles steamed during those hours when the propeller pitch remains constant at the last value set in response to a signaled order.

Before going off watch, the EOOW signs the Bell Book on the line following the last entry for his watch and the next EOOW continues the record immediately thereafter. In machinery spaces where an EOOW is not stationed, the bell sheet is signed by the watch supervisor.