The Boatswain's Pipe is one of the oldest naval tools, used to signal commands since the Crusades.

The Boatswain's Pipe, also known as a bosun's call, dates back to the 13th century during the Crusades. It was used to signal tactical maneuvers and daily routines on sailing ships. The whistle's high frequency was specifically designed to pierce through the extreme noise of storms and the mechanical sounds of a working vessel. By 1562, it became a formal badge of office for the Lord High Admiral of England.The device consists of a narrow tube called the gun, a spherical chamber called the buoy, and a ring known as the shackle. Sailors produce different notes by modulating their breath and using their fingers to cover the hole in the buoy. This allows for a variety of distinct 'calls' that represent specific orders. The pitch can reach levels that are audible even when human voices are drowned out by the environment.Historically, the pipe was so essential that it became a symbol of authority and respect. In the modern era, the British Royal Navy and other Commonwealth navies maintain its use for 'piping the side,' a ceremony performed when a high-ranking officer or a member of the Royal Family boards a ship. This tradition preserves a functional piece of maritime history that has survived for over 800 years despite the advent of digital communication systems.