System of Signals for Utilizing the "Commercial Code" during the Night.
Year: 1892

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
System of Signals for Utilizing the "Commercial Code" during
the Night.
I, JAMES FAIRWEATHER, of Prospect Terrace, East Newport, in the County
of Fife, N.B. Shipmaster, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:
The object of my invention is to provide a method and means whereby the
commercial code of signals approved and adopted by the Board of Trade and others,
may be used during the night.
The accompanying sheet of explanatory drawings illustrates the method of
carrying out my invention, according to one modification.
The system consists essentially of four suitable lamps, one a bright or white,
one green, and two red lights, no more than three being shown at one and the same
time. Each lamp is operated by a separate pair of halyards rove through small
sheaves placed a little apart, and situated where best seen.
* no
"
Referring to the drawing, "assent or "yes" is indicated by a bright or white
light, "negative" or by a green, answering" or "finished hoist" by a red,.
and "repeat last hoist" by two red lights. Again, red above white signifies B;
white above red C; green_above white D; white above green F; red above
green G green above red H; red above white, green J; white, red, green K;
green, white, red L; white, green, red M; red, green, white, N: green, red,
white P; red, red, white Q; white, red, red R; red, white, red S; red, red,
green T; green, red, red V; and red, green, red W. If a two, three, or four flag
hoist is to be carried out, run up the combination of lights which signify the first
letter and after being answered by the answering or finished hoist, transpose to the
second, third, or fourth, as the case may be, then drop all the lights except the
single red, signifying that the hoist is complete; then commence the next and so on,
taking care that each letter and complete hoist has been answered by those signalled
to showing the single red.
tr
*:
To illustrate more particularly how my system may be used:-
Suppose two ships wish to communicate between each other, and that they are
each provided with the commercial code of signals, and say the one wishes to signal
you are standing into danger." If by day the flags "J" above "D" are hoisted
and those signalled to, by referring to their code find that "J"above "D" signifies,
you are standing into danger." To signal the same message by night, the red,
white, and green lights signifying "J are hoisted simultaneously and kept up
until the other vessel shows the red answering hoist. The lamps are then altered
to show green above white signifying "D" and are kept in position until again
answered by the red. The lamps are then dropped and the single red shown
signifying that that hoist is complete; and the ship signalled to by referring to the
code learns what message has been communicated.
Again, if it is desired to know the nationality of a ship, the lights signifying the
letters "D. K. S. H." are run up in a similar manner to that previously described
and if answered say by the letters "B. G. L. P." it will be seen from the code that
the ship belongs to France.
In a similar manner any other combination of letters may be signalled.
Although I have in the aforesaid modification indicated particular letters and
phrases by particular lights, or combinations of lights, yet it is obvious that similar
results may be obtained by using other lights or combinations of lights. For
example: The combination which indicates "B" might be used for "C" "D" or
any other letter; and in this manner a great variety of codes might be used.

page_text: I need scarcely point out that the code which should be preferably adopted is
that in which the more simple combinations of lights would be employed to signify
the letters more frequently required, the more complex combinations being used for
the letters least frequently in requisition.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
The method or methods of, and means for utilizing the commercial code of signals
during the night, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this 16th day of April 1892.
GEO. C. DOUGLAS & Co.,
41, Reform Street, Dundee, Agents for Applicant.
GEO. C. DOUGLAS & Co.,
41, Reform Street, Dundee, Agents for Applicant.