fire roll
noun1
Nautical, Transport Historical A special drumbeat used to summon men to their quarters in case of fire.
- The dark, dingy smoke which now began to pervade the deck, left no doubt in the captain's mind as to the correctness of the seaman's suspicions. […] Staunch directed the drummer to beat the 'Fire-roll.'1829, Colburn's United Service Magazine and Naval and Military Journal, page 76:
- As soon as he could recall his scattered senses, with his usual presence of mind he desired the "fire-roll" to be beat by the drummer, and sent down to ascertain the extent of the mischief. A strong sulphureous smell pervaded the ship […]1838, Frederick Marryat, The King's Own, page 377:
1 more example
- […] beat the fire roll. Then I hurried back to the main deck, without even thinking of making a report to the captain. The fire drill had been practiced every day […]2000, Ludwig Ritter von Höhnel, Ronald E. Coons, Pascal James Imperato, Over Land and Sea: Memoirs of an Austrian Rear Admiral's Life in Europe and Africa, 1857-1909, page 149: