The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-03
THE SIGNAL CODE At SEA
HOW MESSAGES ARE TRANSMITTED
FROM ONE VESSEL TO ANOTHER.
The Use of Long-Distance Signals
The Semaphore-Coast Signal Sta
tions, National and Private.
New York Evening Post.

The reader of the daily papers finds fire.
quent references to signals exchanged be-
tween the war vessls of our navy. and the
messages conveyed by them are often so
long that curiosity may be aroused as to
the means for transmitting, through the
medium of signals so many words as are
involved. 1t is plain that each cannot be
spelled out by letter flags, for that would
make a string of signals from the top of
the mast to the water, and should every
common word have it's proper signal flag
a large portion of the vessel would have to
be set aside for the storage of the neces-
sary hunting, and moreover it would not be
possible to make the flags distinct and rec
ognizable at distance The difficulty has
been overcome by means OF the information
al code, which employs but eighteen signal
flags and this is in general use, not only
in the merchant service but on war vessels
although each navy has a secret CODE
founded upon the same system, embracing
words and phrases of strictly naval use
and others which might be required for con-
fidential use, such as open fire in thirty
minutes" IF he comes closer, use the
rapid-flre guns and orders of similar i'm
port
The international code of signals was pre-
pared by committee appointed by the Brit
ish Board of Trade on July 2 1856, to in
quire into and report upon the subject of a
code Of signals to he used at sea. Such a
report was made in September of the follow
ing year, and so perfect and serviceable did
1t prove that it has continued in use without
change to the present time. 1t has for it's
object the supplying of means of commun-
ication between ships at sea, whatever their
mott
the code signals being strictly adhered to in
all cases, it is quite practicable for any two
vessels of different natonaHties, whether
war or merchant. to communicate inteli-
gently by these signals, even when neither
understands the language spoken by the
other. for a translation of the signals has
been prepared by every government and fur
nished for the use Of it's war and merchant
navies. Eighteen consonant letters consti-
tute he foundation of this signal system
n My are r. T. and & W H. The y f. fSsg l. rd N,
resenting these are displayed in sets of two,
three, and four letters each. These are tech
and thirteen square flags. The first is a
red swallow-tail, and is used for the letter
e The remnants are used for the letters
red spot, the second blue with a white spot,
the third red with white spot and the
fourth yellow and blue in two vertical
stripes. The square flags signify the other
thirteen letters used, and are in colors as
follows: H white and red in two vertical
zontal stripes; K, yellow and blue in two
vertical stripes; l., blue and yellow in four
alternate checks; M, blue with white d.
agonal cross; N, blue and white in sixteen
alternate checks; P, blue with white square
in center; Q yellow; r, red with yellow
right cross; s, white with blue square in
stripes; V, white with red diagonal cross;
", red square surrounded by white bor-
der, surrounded by blue border. reaching
to the edge of the flag.
TWO SYSTEMS.
The cookbook itself is in two parts. The
first consists Of what are called general sig
nails and includes such words, phrases and
sentences as are commonly required in COM
munications by signals between one ship
and another at sea or between ships and
signal stations arranged by groups, and also
of geographical, signals, including the names
of different places upon the globe, princi-
pally Of seaport towns and others apt to be
used. The second part, on the other hand,
consists Of an arrangement in alphabetical
order of words, phrases and sentences of
part first, together with an alphabetical
spelling table to be used in making signals
for words not covered by the code and also
an alphabetical arrangement of the geo.
graphical signals. Three hundred and six
combinations of letters can be made by US
.,
letters, and 73,440 sets of signals can be
made by using four letters in each, max
ing total Of 1882 possible combinations.
In applying these combinations to the diff
ferent signals of the code, the two-letter
sets, being the SIMPLEST are reserved for
urgent and important signals. For in
is that?' and id you are standing into
danger" The three-letter sets are for
sim similar reason Eeserved for the other gen
letter for me?" DIFF, tWhere is the cap
tain?" DIV. rs your crew all on board?"
they p sas fire i ed9nt the a R9ats
side" The four-letter sets, being so
numerous are subdivided as to their purpose.
and others for the alphabetical signals re-
ferred to in part second. Others are re-
served for the signals of ships, 1,440 combi-
war and 5000 being assigned to the mer-
chant service. The designation of each YES
sci by signal IS left to the government OF
each nation within the limits specified The
flags are hoisted in combinations as may be
required, and as each signal has throughout
but one Specification nothing further is re-
quired. to make it understood. In order that
a captain may not lose time in ascertaining
the correct signal to meet his requirements
or endeavor to improvise sentence to sig
hal when there is one almost similar in the
code that will answer the purpose just as
well, the first part of the code is divided into
sections on various subjects, giving nearly
all of the code sentences, with the CORE
spending signal that is required specified. 1t
VIII be remem bered that the story is told
that before the battle of Trafalgar, Nelson
ordered the signal hoisted, Nelson expects
every man to do his duty" and the flag Off
Ger said in reply to this that to display the
signal Nelson would require the use of
several flags to spell out the name, whereas
they had the signal England in one flag.
and suggested that that should be used, and
so legend accounts for the origin of the ia
nous phrase, England expects every man
to do his duty"
DIFFERENT SECTIONS.
These sections comprise selection of SEN
fences for the use of vessels meeting at sea.
a few general inquiries and answers such
as would most probably be required; atten-
ton or demand signals: danger or distress;
leaks and accidents, communications; news;
shipping phrases; regarding captain, crew,
and passengers; invitations; police; quar-
antine; latitude and longitude; time; date;
weather and winds. Another section COM
prises phrases regarding assistance, repairs,
stores, and supplies; another regard
ing the boilers and engines: anchorage
soundings, and pilotage form the subjects
for another chapter. Sailing directions, bus
mess transactions, auxiliary phrases, and
even a table of current coins, weights and
measures of different nations, and numerals
and fractions, all have their equivalent in
flag signals, and form the basis for chap
far in he ia rno nj oP he do