Canadian officers and sailors "pipe the side" to honour the admiral boarding their ship.

"Piping the side" is a long-standing naval tradition used to honour important persons as they board or leave ships. The arriving admiral (right) is saluting, as are the officers and petty officers assembled to greet him (left), including the ship's captain. A six-member "side party" (centre) uses bosun's calls to "pipe the side" as the admiral arrives.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 20000031-061