The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-10-29
YOUTHS DEPARTMENT..
Something About Signaling at sea-cu-
rious Information Concerning the
Stork-The Duped Dog.

Mans ingenuity has made it unneces-
sary that ships that pass at distance
at sea should do so in seeming indiffer-
ence to each others presence or needs.
On long voyage where the sight of
another vessel is pleasing break in
the monotony of the daily life and in
times Of distress and trouble the ability
to ask and answer questions, to request
assistance or needed stores, is very APP
parent. Then, too, the fascination Of
"the flag" felt by the most unromantio
mind, lends its influence to make the
interchange of signals at sea a most in
teresting event.
The use Of q system of naval signals
such as that of the present time re-
quires special instruction and study and
is not picked up in q few minutes;
neither can it be acquired by spending
an odd hour now and again upon it.
1t comprises different methods of con-
veying orders or information to or from
ship in sight or within hearing, but
at a distance too great to permit Of hail
ing-in other words, beyond the reach
of the voice even when aided by the
speaking trumpet
Signals are divided into classes, &C
cording to the instruments with which
they are made. There are sight and
sound signals, flag, semaphore, fixed
lantern, flashing, firework, horn or
steam whistle and gun signals, day,
night, fog and distant signals.
Signaling is not by any means a
modern method of communicating. The
signal codes of the ancients are believed
to have been the result Of much study.
Generally some kind Of flag was used.
Shields were also displayed in man.
ner arranged beforehand. Some people
believe that the reflected rays of the
sun were flashed from these shields as
with tie modern Photograph.
In the middle ages flags, banners and
lanterns were used to distinguish par
ticular squadrons They were used, too,
as they are at the present time, to call
officers to the admiral and to report
sighting the enemy and getting into
danger.
According to q writer ON this subject,
the British Admiral Kempenfelt in 1880
devised plan of flag signaling which
was the parent of that which is now in
use.
A certain Captain Colomb worked for
nine years ON flashing system of sig
mailing which is today in general use in
all fleets. This system has made it pos
sible to handle with confidence and
safety, in darkness and fog, squadrons
composed of the gigantic armorclads of
the day and has greatly reduced the
risk of accidents
An international code of signals has
been compiled and adopted by all the
commercial nations of the world. The
system consists of flags and code pen
nant. In using and interpreting the
flags it is of course necessary to be in
possession of the signal code book, in
which the meanings attached to the
flags and combinations of the flags arc
printed.
Curious Information About the Stork.
That curious bird, the stork, is COM
mon in many parts of Europe, to which
it migrates yearly from it's winter quar-
tiers in Africa 1t is much valued in
many countries ON account of the serv-
ices it renders in destroying noisome
reptiles and unpleasant offal.
The stork is very docile bird and
soon learns to follow its feeder for any
dainty morsel. When it is hungry, it
crouches ON the ground and seems to
beg for food by its gestures, such as
nodding its head and Tapping its pin
ions. It is very mild and peaceable
bird, seldom making use of its great
bill against its companions.
The stork is great favorite in Hol-
land and is found most useful in eating
up the frogs, lizards and toads which
abound in the marshes, and the people
are so fond of the storks that they be-
come quite familiar and tame and build
their nests on the chimneys and roofs of
the houses. The Dutch say, IA stork
never builds ON bad mans house,"
therefore it is protection to house If
stork comes and builds it's nest, as no
one would IMPURE one Of these favorite
birds.
The stork is very fond Of building it's
nest upon high places, such as the top
of house, a chimney or church spire,
and in the ruined cities Of the east upon
the top Of almost every pillar stork' g
nest is to be found. It is said that when
the parent birds grow SO old as to be
bare Of feathers and unable to fly and
provide food for themselves the young
ones will bring it to them and nestle
close to them to keep them warm and
protect them.