Four Bells

Since the time of its consecration, the Lodge has nearly always had members from the sea-faring fraternity, some mercantile marine, some from the Royal Navy.

It is the custom to drink a toast our brethren at sea at “4 Bells” or 10.00 pm by landsmen’s reckoning.

When this practice began is uncertain, but it certainly goes back before the Second World War, and most probably a lot earlier. During the war, because of blackouts and travelling difficulties, Lodge dinners were finished earlier and since then the toast has been coupled with that to “Absent Brethren” and is generally taken after the toast to the visiting brethren, usually around 9.00 pm. This toast has an associated silent fire known as “Masthead, Breast and Badge”, which is unique to the Lodge. The toast has traditionally been proposed by the senior Past Master present.