Bells have a centuries-long tradition of varied use in the navies and merchant fleets of the world. Signaling, keeping time, and sounding alarms are important in a ship’s routine and readiness. Their functional and ceremonial uses have made them a symbol of considerable significance to the United States Navy. It has long been a naval tradtion for the ships’ Bosn’ to make the first pot of coffee on the mess decks, while the cook would polish the ships bell. Additionally crew members sometimes asked the ships’ chaplin to christen newborn babies in the bell filled with water.

 uss concord ships bell

The ships bell on naval vessels has much heritage and history. Legend has it that the Cook shined the bell daily and the boatswain made the first pot of coffee each morning. A tradition that I personally witnessed was baptisms conducted on our ship (Concord) performed by the ship’s chaplain and witnessed by the babies parents and select crew members. As a young Hull Technician I was tasked with taking the bell from its bracket, turning it upside down and positioning it inside a holder which was dressed with decorative bunting. The baby was then placed inside the bell and the chaplain sprinkled the child and said a blessing. Once the ceremony was over, the bell was engraved (using a letter punch set) imprinting the child’s name and date of baptism. It was this event that sparked my desire to locate our ships bell, and try and locate the babies and families and tell their story to our members. After much writing back and forth to the Navy History Heritage Command the bell was located. Unfortunately the bell was polished so well that the names have been removed. If you had a child that was baptised in this bell I would like to hear from you. Regardless the bell has been located and you can go visit it and touch the only available piece of ships history (other than the ships minuteman statue) available. 

USS Concord’s bell was removed prior to sinkage and has since been relocated to the below information. In addition a search has begun to locate the ships bronze minuteman statue and commissioning plaque. As these items are located we will provide the details at this page. Anyone with knowledge relating to these treasures are asked to contact the webmaster below.