The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-30

] a
chned to the left. Each word is concluded
by bringing the flag directly down to the
front Naval signal men, generally APP
prentices, become very expert, and the
rapidity with which they can wig-wag sen
fences is really remarkable.
The ArdoiS system of night signaling
consists of electric lights attached TO the
rigging. There are five groups of double
lamps, the two lamps in each group show
ing red and white respectively. By the
combination of these lights letters can be
formed, and so, letter by letter, a word,
and thence an order can be spelled out
for the guidance of the ships of a squad
ron. The lamps are worked by a key
board generally placed on the upper bridge.
The flag host system, as it is term
ed, consists of the displaying of different
flags at some conspicuous place like the
mast head. There are a great many flags
and penants, differing in color, shape and
design, each having its own particular
meaning, and when three or four are
shown aloft together, a number is formed,
the significance of which can only be de-
termined by referring to a code book. Each
navy has a private code which is guard
ed with great care. So particular is the
government in this respect that the com
handing officer of every ship has instruc.
tons to go to any length to destroy the
code book IL capture Is imminent During
the late war with Spain it was reported
been secured. This means that the Dons
will be compelled to adopt an entirely
new code of signals.
Beside the above system, signalling In
the navy include various other devices
For instance, the fog whistle can be utiI-
lied in connection with the Myer system
of numerals. One loot represents /, two
short tools 2, and a long blast the end
of word, In a fog this is the only means
practicable Similar sounds can be made
by horn or guntire. At night searchlights
| are often used by waving the beam from
the right to the left, thus forming an cleo
trio wig-wag, or by flash like the hello
graph On small ships not fitted up with
the Ardois system, the Very night signals
are used. This consists of a pistol made
| for the purpose which discharges lights
similar to those found in the ordinary Ro-
man candles. The colors are red and
green and they are fired in combinations
expressing the number from one to nine
and aught, so that the number to four dig
its contained in the signal book may be
displayed
The Yankee was rugged with the Ar
dois lamps and she also carried all the
necessary signal flags and other parapher-
MALTA required to communicate with other
vessels of the fleet. The signalmen on
board had been drilled in their work as
members of the naval reserve prior to the
beginning of the war, and they were ex-
| perts Ia q man.
On the evening of June g. while we were
| idling about decks awaiting the order to
get under way, a small boat came along
| side having as a passenger a captain of
the army. He proved to be special agent
who had succeeded in visiting the vicinity
of Santiago and was on his way to Mole
! st. Nicholas for the purpose of cabling
! to Washington. The mysterious manner
in which he boarded the ship, and the
quickness with which we steamed from
port, created some excitement, aud we OF
the forward deck felt the importance of
our mission.
The night was dark and muggy, an ideal
time for torpedo boat work, and extra
| lookouts were posted by order of the can
! tain. Nothing of interest transpired how
ever, until early next morning. The ship
! was piough0g along at a steady gait and
| those of the watch who were not on actual
/ duty were snatching what sleep they could
| in out of the way corners, when sudden
ly the call to general quarters was sound
ed. Long practice ceased prompt obedi
ence' and the various guns crews wers
| soon ready for action.
! Very few of US knew lust what was on
foot until the Kid, in passing, contrived
to convey the interesting information that
"a big Spanish fleet had been sighted
dead ahead.
That's funny" remarked Stump, try
ing 10 peer from the port 1--WE are not
man doesn't intend to tackle them alone"
Il guess the Kid is strnging us" OBJ
served Tommy sagely Hes up to that |
trick every time. We're not chasing Span
ish fleets alone. The captain knows his
business all right, all right"
Word was brought from the upper deck |
presently that we were In pursuit of a |
strange steamer which had been discov- |
cred lurking on the horizon. She failed |
to respond to our signals, and chase was
made forthwith The Yankees speed soon
proved superior to that of the stranger. |
and within an hour we had her close |
aboard.
TITS an English tramp from the looks |
of her." reported Hay, who had a choice |
position near the gun port. She's got a |
dozen people on the bridge and they are
badly scared"
Steamer ahoy? came family to our
ears from the deck. What steamer Is
that?"
The answer reached us in disjolnted sem
fences, but we heard enough to set US
laughing. Tommy smacked his hand upon
the breech of the gun and chuckled: 'sIt's
one of those everlasting press boats The
sea is full of EN-"
What in the deuce did they run for. I
wonder?" exclaimed Kennedy.
afraid of us, ! suppose. It's tIcklLsh
times around here, and don't blame
them. Press boats are not made to fight
yon know"
THAT idea doesn't carry out their mot
to-" drawled Dye.
"Hows that?" asked Flagg innocentlv
why, they claim that the pen is might
Ter than the sword don't they?"
After the laugh had subsidized Morrie
one of the Rochester detail, who acted nc
shellman in the crew of Number Eight,
said seriously:
II am great admirer of press represen-
tatives down here, fellows They are can
able, good writers, and there Is not
branch of the whole outfit that has been
more faithful to duty. They were sent
here to get the news, and they got it everv
time. There has never been q war more
ably reported than this. and although The
correspondents have to hustle day and
night, they still find time TO keep US in
formed and to give us an occasional pa
per from home. They are good fellows
ALL"