Dimension L: 8 W: 8 H: 11.5 Inches About This brass bell was originally used on cruised ships to signal for meal time. When struck the bell sounds off clear and distinct. It comes with a wooden handle in an antique brass finish. The item dimensions are: L: 8 inches, W: 8 inches, H: 11.5 inches. History A ships bell is usually made of bronze or brass and often has the ships name engraved on it. Strikes of a ships bell are used to indicate the hour aboard a ship and thereby to regulate the sailors duty watches and meal times.