Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1902-10-04
SAluTES AT SEA.
cSourtcsics That Must DC Observed
by ship Carsatns.

NourfCSfCs That MUST nc OpSSN'SN
by Ship Carsatns.
In the g. - Oc. - cannon ana III
deed until comparatively recent times
n vessel made : citation by lower
Ing IFS Iag. is .5 the oldest ana
most honorable greeting which snip
can give, and IL ranks before the BOOM
ing of guns, however many. inns sa-
lute has CIV: = been C'r:lded by
English su;.m~i, U..j IS ~NaotiOn mas
burned the hearts and the powder OF
generations II naval c H;Lla"Gcrs. For
a foreign ship, whether merchant OF
martial, to C@tC" n English port wlth-
out veil;n- tops Is or Iwcring lis ma
tional flag was TO court the chances OF
war. though the prOfOuadest peace eX-
listed. Without warning OF argument
the shore defenses or man-of-war
sent a round shot CCr So the BOWS or
between the maStS If the inSolent in
truder. and IL the OIL 1nGing dag came
not down instan;Cr thS foreigner was
brought to her s2ISCs by being raked
through and through. Such was the
TGCpDllOn OCNOIOt Il ~ oNA.i
to the Spanish admiral who in time or
peace sailed into Plymouth sound with
out yelling his tOpS,ilS or striking his
flag The Dutch vehVmently resisted
the British demand and it was not I'M
til 1873 that they finally agreed to
strike the English colors in home wa
ters The same honor was formally
assented to 10y France in 1T04. although
il had been long cXacted by Britain.
Until modern times it was regarded
as a high misdemeanor for merchant
vessel TO pass one Of his majcsty's
ships without dipping her ensign. and
the consequence was that shot across
her bows compelled her TO hcaVe to
while her captains name was taken,
the admiralty insttuting prosecution
against him for his negligence. The
trading ship dips her ensign and waits
for the man-of-war'S dip in return
Then she dips again. and after that in
strict etiquette she ought to dip third
time. but this is seldom done now. The
maritime supremacy Of Britain is still
enforced by the refusal of any British
war vessel to dip its flag to any for
eign ship until the latter has first low
cred its cOlOrs, and this acknowledge
ment of precedence is required not only
In home waters. but in all seas
But naval salutes are now essential
matters Of etiquette and are exchanged
under an elaborate code arranged be-
tween foreign powers and the admiral
ty in 1876. The number of guns to be
fred under all conceivable circum-
stances is infinitely stipulated. Second
to the salute Of twenty-one guns In
honor Of royal persOnages and national
flags are nineteen rounds given TO en-
bassadors. Colonial governors, for
eign possessions and fOrtreSSes receive
seventeen guns and ENJOYS extraordi-
nary and ministers plenipotentiary if
teen. Two guns less are fired for lieu
tenant governors. Charge daffaireS are
treated to eleven, consulS general to
nine and q mere consul TO seven. The
salute for admralS of the fleet is sew
enteen guns and for admirals simple
liter fifteen. Vice admirals are greeted
with thirteen and rear admirals with
two less, while nine guns are fired for
cOmmodOres, captains and lower Off
GERS being clasSed as not worth the
burning of powder London Standard.