Improvements in Signalling, with Especial Reference to the International Code of Signals.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Sept., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 21st June, 1894-Accepted, 21st Sept. 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIATION.
Improvements in Signalling, with Especial Reference to the
International Code of Signals.
I, WALTER FARQUHAR LARKINS of 104 Harley Street, London, and late
H.M. Civil Service do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention consists in the application or adaptation of a method by which
symbols, other than flags may be employed where circumstances admit to represent
the signs or letters used for the purposes of the International Code of Signals or
any like code so that the symbols when hoisted or shewn on any mast or post
(hereinafter termed a mast) or otherwise exhibited either singly or in combination
as hereafter described may be made to indicate by their position or otherwise
any letter word sentence number or communication whatsoever in any code
contained.
0
I may use any kind or description of symbol or symbols (including lights) of
convenient length size form or color.
By preference choose for day signalling arms such as have been or are in use
for semaphore or railway signals (see Figure 1).
These armis I may fix on a mast or 1 may otherwise exhibit them.
On the top of the mast projecting from the left side I fix a ball or other object,
but by preference a ball to indicate to the observer the proper left of the mast from
which to read off signals (see Figure 1).
The arms are fixed in pairs and work on the same pivot independently of each
other and three or four pairs (or more if required) may be fitted on the same mast
one below the other at convenient intervals of space in grooves or otherwise or
instead of having three or four pairs of arms on one mast single pairs of arms may
be fitted on two three or more masts placed in a row allowing a convenient distance
between the masts, provided the left hand mast has the ball above referred to fixed
at the top.
The functions of the two arms are separate and distinct and it is accordingly
essential that they should differ in appearance in such manner as to ensure as far as
possible that the one shall be clearly distinguishable from the other at a distance
(see Figure 2).
The arms may be respectively elevated or lowered into the positions indicated
below or into such positions as may be required namely
Position 1. Upwards at an angle of about 45° not less.
Position 2. Horizontal or at right angles to the mast.
Position 3. Downwards at an angle of about 45° not less.
When no signalling is going on the arms are not visible. Their use when at
work will be found explained in the following remarks.
I. THE INTERNATIONAL CODE OF SIGNALS.
This code is, as is well known, worked with eighteen flags and the signs employed
to represent these symbols are eighteen letters of the alphabet B to W. (all vowels
This code is, as is well known, worked with eighteen flags and the signs employed
to represent these symbols are eighteen letters of the alphabet B to W. (all vowels
being omitted).
The table of flags in all signal books (which are under the control and super-
vision of the Board of Trade) is arranged in three columns of six letters in each
column or six lines of three letters in each line.

page_text: For night signals, the table of numerals is arranged as for signalling by day.
The three colours of each light correspond with the three positions of the arms
(see Figs. 9, 10).
The two lights are shown one under the other (vertically).
The top light by its colours, bright, green or red gives the lines (on its left) and
the other light by its colours gives the number 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, in the line
signalled.
The ciphers are placed in a fourth column on the right, and for making them,
only a single light is used (see Figs. 14 & 15).
Dated this 10th October 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Signalling, with Especial Reference to the
International Code of Signals.
1, WALTER FARQUHAR LARKINS, of 104 Harley Street, London, and late
H.M. Civil Service, 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 :-
My invention consists in the application or adaptation of a method by which
symbols, other than flags, may be employed where circumstances admit to
represent the signs or letters used for the purposes of the International Code of
Signals, or any like alphabetical code, so that the symbols when hoisted or shown
on any mast or post (hereinafter termed a mast), or otherwise exhibited either
singly, or in combination as hereafter described may be made to indicate by their
position, or otherwise, any letter, word, sentence, number, or communication
whatsoever in any code contained.
I may use any kind or description of symbol or symbols (including lights) of
convenient length, size, form, or colour.
By preference I choose for day signalling, arms such as have been, or are in use
for seinaphore or railway signals (see Figure 1). These arms I may fix on a mast,
or I may otherwise exhibit them.
On the top of the mast projecting from the left side, I fix a ball or other object,
but by preference a ball to indicate to the observer the proper left of the mast

page_text: 3. THE NUMERAL CODE.
For this code, I arrange a table of numbers 1 to 9 in lines and columns of three
figures in each (see Figure 9). This table I place on the left side of the mast,
and use the arms as before explained to denote by their respective positions the
particular column and line containing the number signalled, or required to be
signalled (see Figure 9). To provide for ciphers, I add a fourth column which
I place on the right side of the mast, and I use the column arm singly to indicate
by its three positions the cipher or ciphers signalled or required to be signalled
(see Figure 10). This employment of the column arm singly distinguishes the
numeral from the alphabetical code in which the line arm is used singly.
My method is also applicable to signalling with lights at night, or by sounds of
a fog horn, syren, bell, or other instrument, in the manner following:-
3. A red light.
By the permutation of these colours taken two together, eighteen signals are
obtained representing separately one of the 18 letters of the code. The different
combinations of lights (or colours) are made to indicate each letter in the code
table.
The lights are shown in two positions, see Figures 18 and 19 of the drawings
liled with my Complete Specification.
Nine of the letters are made with the lights in Position 1, and nine in Position 2.
The leading light (reading downward or from left to right according to the
position of the light) always indicates by its colour one of the columns of the
table, thus ;-
A bright light gives column 1.
A green light gives column 2.
A red light gives column 3.
The second light according to its position and colour gives one of the six letters
in any column indicated by the leading light. In Position 1, vertical, it gives the
1st, 2nd, or 3rd letter in any column, in Position 2, it gives the 4th, 5th, or
6th letter. For instance, a bright light in conjunction with a red light in
Position 1, vertical, gives the letter "D" being the 3rd letter in column 1, and a
red light in conjunction with a green light in Position 2 gives the letter V being
the 5th letter in column 3.
The lenses before alluded to may be placed immediately behind the three
openings a, b, c, as shown in Figure 16 of the annexed drawings. The colours of
these lights are varied green and red by means of the rotating slide shown in
Figure 17 which is so divided off and fitted with the different coloured shades
required to give in the respective positions any one of the 18 letters indicated in
the table shown in Figure 16. Each of the three lamps is thereby made capable
of showing three distinct colours, viz. :
1. A bright light.
2. A green light.

page_text: column 2 is hatched and represents the colour green, column 3 is double hatched,
and represents the colour red.
The shades a' on the rotating slide correspond in colour by the same repre-
sentative means to each of the coloured columns, and the slide has as many shades
as there are letters in each column.
The method by which the combinations of lights (or colours) are made to
indicate the different letters of the code will be easily understood upon reference
to the rotating slide. It follows that if the rotating slide be moved to show any
two of the represented colours, it will give on referring to the table that letter
which is marked as belonging to that combination.
Take as an example, a bright light at the hole a of the post, and a red light at
the hole vertically under it. This means, white light, first column, red light
below 3rd letter of said column, therefore D is the letter designated. Or, a red
light at the hole a and a white at the hole e horizontal to it, indicates the
3rd column and fourth letter of said column viz.: T.
Night signals may also be made by flashing light thus: By first indicating the
lines of the table from 1 to 6 by a corresponding number of Hashes and after an
interval of 2 or 3 seconds giving the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd letter in the same way.
Similarly a sound or sounds of a syren, gong, etc. from 1 to 6 for the letters
may be employed.
NUMERAL CODES WITH LIGHTS.
For night signals, the table of numerals is arranged as for signalling by day.
The three colours of each light correspond with the three positions of the
semaphore arms (see Figures 9 and 10).
The two lights are shown one under the other vertically.
The top light by its colours, bright, green, or red gives the "lines
(on its
left), and the other light by its colours bright, green, or red gives the number
1st, 2nd, or 3rd in the line signalled.
The ciphers are placed in a fourth column on the right, and for making them,
only a single light is used (see Figures 14 and 15).
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The hereinbefore described system, or method of signalling by semaphore
arms having reference to the drawings hereto annexed.
2. The novel methods or codes described and shown, by which siguals by
semaphore arms, or by various coloured lights can be transmitted.
3. The improved signalling codes herein described, viz. the particular
arrangement of identification, table of numerals and letters with the described
method for designating any particular numeral or letter by means of semaphores,
coloured glasses, or flash lights, or sounds as set forth.
The 21st day of June 1894,
The 21st day of Fume 1894,
H. GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said Walter Farquhar Larkins.