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THE International
(Commercial) code of Signals was first introduced in the year 1857. It then consisted
of but eighteen flags, but there has been a constant demand for an increased
number of signals, which the code in use until 1900 had altogether failed to
meet. The code, however,
was then re-written, and in its improved form came into operation throughout
the world on January 1, 1901. Under the newly-arranged code many important
signals, which formerly required the use of three or more flags, can now be
displayed in two, whilst it is of course now possible to make a larger and more
varied number of new signals by the use of three or more flags, as well as to
express a message by means of an alphabetical signal (there being now a flag
for every letter of the alphabet), with much less risk of its being wrongly
interpreted. The New
International Signal Code consists of 2 Burgees, or swallow-tailed flags, 5
Pennants, a narrow triangular flag, and 19 square flags; in all, 26 flags, one
for each letter of the alphabet, together with a "Code Flag" or
answering pennant. Signals at sea and
along the coast are also now made by various new methods, e.g. by the
Semaphore, which has been highly developed by the French; by an elaborate
system of balls and cones, which are displayed from the masthead (usually by
ships of the Navy); by hand-flag semaphoring; by flash-light signalling; by
blasts of sound on the system of the Morse telegraphic alphabet, or by ordinary
flag waving, in which a small number of different flags are used in combination
to express certain simple phrases. A new chapter in
the history of signalling has just opened with the marvellous invention of
Signor Marconi, who has succeeded in transmitting messages across the Atlantic
without the aid of any kind of cable — an achievement which is bound sooner or
later to revolutionize the existing systems of long-distance
intercommunication. This novel method of sending messages is called wireless
telegraphy and the messages themselves Marconi-grams after the name of the
inventor. In many circles it is hoped that the Post Office Department will
succeed in securing for this country some of the benefits of this great
invention. The employment of
the International Signal Code is practically universal, most of the foreign
powers having adopted it officially immediately upon its being made effective,
and some of them having even translated it at once into their own languages. When a ship wishes
to make a signal, she hoists the Ensign with the "Code Flag" under,
and when this has been answered or acknowledged by the ship whose attention she
is desirous of attracting, she proceeds with her message, hauling down the
"Code Flag" if it is required for making the succeeding signal. Signals are always
hoisted where they can best be seen, and not necessarily always at the
mast-head. Each signal-flag is
kept flying until the ship signalled hoists her "Answering Pennant." The letters
required for the signal are readily found by looking up the first letter of the
principal word in the message, under its initial letter in the General
Vocabulary of the Code Book. In answering a signal, the ship signalled hoists
the "Answering Pennant" half-way, and upon reading or understanding
the signal, hoists it close up. Ships passing each other on the deep seas and
signalling their position always use the meridian of Greenwich, except French
ships, which ordinarily make use of the meridian of Paris, and of course (in
this case) Paris time. The British meridian
is that of Greenwich — Oh. Om. Os. The meridian of
Paris is Oh. 9m. 21s. east of Greenwich, and is computed to be 9 minutes and 21
seconds faster (in point of time). The meridian of New
York is 4h. 56m. 1.8s. west of Greenwich, and in point of time is of course
proportionately slower. When ships pass
either one another or Signal Stations on shore, they usually hoist the
following signals: — (1) The National
Colours, with the "Code Flag" under them. (2) The ship's name (in
signal letters). (3) Port of starting. (4) Port of destination. (5) Number of
days out. (6) Longitude by Chronometer. The Ensign is kept flying until the
communication is ended and "dipped" and re-hoisted as a farewell. The Ensign is said
to be "dipped" when it is lowered a short distance from the masthead,
or from the peak, and hauled up close again. To express emphasis or fervour
this operation is repeated "ad lib." Distant Signals are
required when, in consequence of the extreme distance or the state of the
weather, it is not possible to distinguish the colours of the flags which might
otherwise be visible. Three different
methods of signalling are used. (1) By the fixed
Coast Semaphore. (2) By Balls, Drums
and Cones. (3) By Balls,
Square Flags and Whefts (a wheft being a pennant with the fly tied to the
halyards). For an example of
distant signals, see illustration.  EXAMPLE OF SEMAPHORE, BALL, CONES, DRUM, AND WHEFT, USED IN DISTANCE SIGNALLING.
Are given with the Code Flag over M, N, and O.
Code Flag over M. — This represents that the Signals which follow are Numeral Signals. " N. — This indicates the Decimal point. " O. — This represents that the Numeral Signals are ended; the Signals which follow are to be looked out in the Code in the usual manner. NUMERAL TABLE
A vessel under
weigh in sight of another indicates the course she is taking by the following
signals: — One short blast
mean "I am directing my course starboard."
Two short blasts mean "I am directing my course to port." Three short blasts mean "My engines are going full speed astern." During a fog, a
steamer under weigh, with her whistle or siren, blows a prolonged blast every
two minutes. A sailing ship blows on the fog-horn (when on the starboard tack) one
blast; when on the port tack, two blasts; when the wind is abaft to beam, three
blasts every minute. All vessels at
anchor during fog ring their bell at intervals of not more than one minute.
 At numerous ports
and fishing stations, many of which are Lloyd's signal stations, warning
signals are hoisted in connexion with the Meteorological Office to advise as to
the probability Of an approaching gale. A cone pointed
downwards means that strong winds are probable, at first from the southwards —
from S.E. round by S. to N.W. A cone pointed
upwards means that strong winds are probable, at first from the northwards —
from N.W. round by N. to S.E. The drum is added
to either cone when a very heavy gale is probable. No drum is used at dark, or
without the cone. The signal is kept
flying until dusk and then lowered to avoid unnecessary wear and tear, but it
is hoisted again at daylight next morning; and so on until the end of 48 hours
from the time at which the message was issued from London, unless orders to
lower the signal are received previously. At dusk, whenever a
signal ought to be flying if it were daylight, a night signal consisting of three
lanterns hung on a triangular frame is hoisted in place of the Cone, point
downwards (for South Cone), or point upwards (for North Cone), as the case may
be. The hoisting of
either of these signals is a sign that an atmospherical disturbance is in existence,
which will probably cause a gale from the quarter indicated within a distance
of fifty miles of the locality. The signal is
frequently kept flying after a gale is over, one gale being often followed by
another within a very brief interval. When a vessel is in
distress and requires assistance from other vessels or from the shore, the
following are the signals to be used or displayed by her, either together or
separately, viz.: — BY DAY —
1. A gun or other
explosive signal fired at intervals of about a minute;
2. The International Code Signal of Distress indicated by NC; 3. The distant signal, consisting of a square flag, having either above or below it a ball or anything resembling a ball; 4. A continuous sounding with any fog-signal apparatus. BY NIGHT —
1. A gun or other
explosive signal fired at intervals of about a minute;
2. Flames (i.e., signal fires) on the vessel (as from a burning tar-barrel, oil-barrel, etc.); 3. Rockets or shells, throwing stars of any colour or description, fired one at a time, at short intervals; 4. A continuous sounding with any fog-signal apparatus.
SPECIAL SIGNALS
FROM LIGHTVESSELS IN THAMES DISTRICT. — The signals appointed for the
Lightvessels and Pile Lighthouses in the London, Harwich, Ramsgate and Yarmouth
districts, meaning that a vessel is on either of the adjacent sands, are as
follows: — By
Day — Two
guns fired from any of these light-vessels at intervals of a minute, and
repeated every fifteen minutes, indicate that assistance is required by her or
by a vessel seen in distress on the sands above referred to. By
Night — Two
guns repeated as above, and followed by a rocket. The following
signals, when used or displayed together or separately, shall be deemed to be
signals for a pilot: — BY DAY —
1. To be hoisted at
the fore, the Union Jack, having round it a white border, one-fifth of the
breadth of the flag;
2. The International Code Pilotage Signal indicated by PT; 3. The International Code Flag S, with or without the Code Pennant over it; 4. The distant signal, consisting of a cone, point upwards, having above it two balls or shapes resembling balls. BY NIGHT — 1. The pyrotechnic
light commonly known as a blue light every fifteen minutes; 2. A bright white light, flashed or shown at short or frequent intervals just above the bulwarks for about a minute at a time. [*By kind
permission, from Lloyd's Calendar.]
ABERDEEN LINE. A Red pyrotechnic
light burnt near the stern, followed by a Roman candle throwing up three
groups of balls to a height not exceeding 50 feet, and each group consisting of
a Red, White and Blue ball, the colours following in the order specified.
Anywhere within British jurisdiction and on the high seas. ALLAN LINE. 1. Three Rockets,
Blue, White and Red, simultaneously, or in such quick succession as to amount
practically to a simultaneous or almost simultaneous display.
Off Moville, and at the entrance of Lough Foyle in the county of Donegal, and off Queenstown Harbour, in the county of Cork. 2. Three " Blue Lights" in a triangle half way up the rigging. Off the coasts of Great Britain and on the high seas. ANCHOR LINE. A Red light and a
White light exhibited alternately from some conspicuous part of the ship; the
Red light to be so exhibited as not to be mistaken for the Red side light
carried under the regulations for preventing collisions at sea.
On and near the coasts of the United Kingdom, and on the high seas. ATLANTIC TRANSPORT LINE. A Roman candle
throwing six balls of the following colours — viz., one Green, one White and
one Red, to be repeated once in the same order.
Within British jurisdiction and on the high seas. BEAVER LINE. A Roman candle
throwing four Blue and two Red Stars in succession, followed by a red light.
Off the North or South Coast of Ireland for steamers bound to or from Liverpool. BIBBY LINE. A Roman candle
throwing to a height not exceeding 50 feet. One Red ball, one Blue ball, one
Red ball, one Blue ball, one Red ball, one Blue ball, in succession, and to be
repeated if necessary.
Anywhere within British jurisdiction and on the high seas. BRITISH INDIA STEAM NAVIGATION Co. A Roman candle
throwing Red and White balls in succession three times from the bridge to a
height not exceeding 50 feet.
Anywhere within British jurisdiction and on the high seas. CLAN LINE. A White, a Red and
a White light in succession. Anywhere within British jurisdiction and on the
high seas.
COMPAGNIE GÉNÉRALE TRANSATLANTIQUE. Three Coston
lights, Blue, White and Red, burned simultaneously at the fore, middle and
after parts of the vessel respectively.
Anywhere within British jurisdiction and on the high seas. CUNARD LINE. 1. A Blue light and
two rockets bursting into golden stars, fired in quick succession.
Off Browhead, in the county of Cork, and off Queenstown Harbour, in the county of Cork. 2. A Blue light and two Roman candles, each throwing out six Blue balls to a height not exceeding 150 feet, and fired in quick succession. Anywhere within British jurisdiction and on the high seas. ELDER, DEMPSTER & Co., Water Street, Liverpool. A Roman candle
throwing four Blue and two Red stars in succession.
Anywhere within British jurisdiction and on the high seas. HAMBURG-AMERICAN LINE. Three Roman candles
in succession at stern, each throwing to a height not exceeding 50 feet, seven
stars, white, red, blue, white, red, blue, white.
Off Scilly, off Lizard, off Plymouth and on the high seas. HOLLAND-AMERICA LINE. One Green
pyrotechnic light from the forecastle, one White pyrotechnic light from the
bridge, and one Green pyrotechnic light from the poop of the vessel — the three
lights to be shown at the same moment.
Anywhere within British jurisdiction and on the high seas. HOULDER LINE. 1. One Red light
changing to White from the forecastle head.
2. One Roman candle discharging six White balls in succession off the bridge. 3. One Red light changing to White from the poop or after-deck of the vessel. All exhibited simultaneously. Anywhere within British jurisdiction and on the high seas. IMPERIAL DIRECT WEST INDIA MAIL SERVICE. A Roman candle,
throwing four Blue and Red stars in succession, followed by a Green pyrotechnic
light.
Anywhere within British jurisdiction and on the high seas. INTERNATIONAL NAVIGATION CO. (AMERICAN LINE). One pyrotechnic
light known as a Blue light, shown at the fore part of the ship.
One Red pyrotechnic light, shown on the bridge. One pyrotechnic light known as a Blue light, shown at the aft part of the ship. Off Browhead, in the county of Cork, and off Queenstown Harbour, in the county of Cork. Two variegated rockets, the balls thrown out of each of which are Blue, Red and Green. All the lights and rockets to be fired simultaneously or in such quick succession as to amount to a simultaneous or almost simultaneous display. Off Browhead, in the county of Cork, and off Queenstown Harbour, in the county of Cork. The same as above, omitting the rockets, viz., Blue Light forward, Red Light on bridge, Blue Light aft simultaneously. Anywhere within British jurisdiction and on the high seas. SOUTH-EASTERN AND CHATHAM RAILWAY. Cross Channel Steamers.
One Red light
denotes position; when burned by a vessel not in answer to a signal, it means,
"What am I to do?" One Red pyrotechnic light, then one Green pyrotechnic light. — "I am temporarily disabled, but am not in want of assistance." One Bright or White pyrotechnic light. — Vessels meeting or passing at sea, and one wishing to give warning that there are obstructions in or off the port she has left, is to burn this light. One Red pyrotechnic light. A vessel's answer to a sister vessel's signal. Two Blue pyrotechnic lights together. — To be burnt by a special vessel when 15 minutes off. One Green pyrotechnic light. — "Have India Mail on board, in addition to ordinary mails." One Red pyrotechnic light and one Green pyrotechnic light together. — "Off Deal Jetty and wish to communicate." One Red pyrotechnic light and one Blue pyrotechnic light together. — "I am not going into harbour." Two Red pyrotechnic lights and two Blue pyrotechnic lights together. — "I am going into the Downs." Two Red pyrotechnic lights together. — If made off Calais. — "I am returning to Dover." If made off Dover — "I am returning to Calais." On the coasts of the United Kingdom and on the high seas. NEW ZEALAND SHIPPING CO. One Green light
forward, one Roman candle throwing three Purple and three Green stars to a
height not exceeding 50 feet and fired simultaneously.
Anywhere within British jurisdiction and on the high seas. NIPPON YUSEN KAISHA. Two White
pyrotechnic lights burnt simultaneously about 50 feet apart, and each throwing
up two Red balls to a height not exceeding 50 feet.
Anywhere within British jurisdiction and on the high seas. NORD DEUTSCHER LLOYD. For use by any of
the steamers of the N.-D. Lloyd.
1. Two pyrotechnic lights burned simultaneously, each of which changes from the light commonly known as a Blue light to a Red light. Anywhere within British jurisdiction and on the high seas. For Mail Steamers only. (a) The steam
whistle blown well, (b) burned simultaneously — two pyrotechnic lights
described in the paragraph marked 1 above as changing from Blue to Red, and (c)
shown in lanterns simultaneously and vertically from the mizen peak — one
Green light, one Red light and one White light, the whole constituting one
signal. When this signal is acknowledged by the telegraph station at Hurst
Castle, then a Roman candle, throwing up Red stars to a height not exceeding
150 feet, is to be burnt on any part of the ship. Near Hurst Castle. PACIFIC S. N. Co. A Roman candle
throwing two White, two Red, and two Blue balls in succession.
Anywhere within British jurisdiction and on the high seas. RED STAR LINE.
Three Red lights
burning simultaneously, one forward, one on the bridge, and one aft.
On or near the coasts of the United Kingdom. ROYAL MAIL S. P. Co. A Yellow pyrotechnic light, and a Roman candle throwing up White balls to a height not exceeding 150 feet, fired simultaneously. Anywhere within British jurisdiction and on the high seas.
SHAW, SAVILL & ALBION.
A Red pyrotechnic
light accompanied by a Roman candle throwing White stars to a height not
exceeding 50 feet, exhibited simultaneously.
Anywhere within British jurisdiction and on the high seas.
UNION-CASTLE LINE.
A Blue light burned
on the bridge, followed immediately by a Roman candle throwing five Blue balls
to a height not exceeding 150 feet.
Anywhere within British jurisdiction and on the high seas.
WEST INDIA AND PACIFIC.
The Chatham light.
Anywhere within British jurisdiction and on the high seas.
WHITE STAR LINE.
1. A Green
pyrotechnic light followed quickly by a rocket throwing two Green stars, the rocket
being followed by another Green pyrotechnic light.
Off Browhead, off the Old Head of Kinsale, and off Queenstown Harbour, in the county of Cork. 2. Two Green pyrotechnic lights exhibited simultaneously.
WILSON, FURNESS, LEYLAND LINE.
A signal consisting
of three pyrotechnic lights arranged in the form of a triangle, viz.: one Red
light forward, one Green light turning to Red on the bridge, and one Red light
aft, with a space of not less than 20 feet between any two of the three
lights, and the light upon the bridge being at the apex of the triangle.
Anywhere within
British jurisdiction and on the high seas.
Vessels which on
passing a Lloyd's Signal Station hoist their ensign and signal letters will,
without any charge, be reported immediately in Lloyd's
List, the Shipping Gazette
and various leading newspapers. If shipowners wish vessels reported to their
own offices, notice should be given to the Secretary of Lloyd's. The answering
pennant of the International Code of Signals, or Lloyd's Ensign, is hoisted at
Lloyd's Signal Stations in fair weather. As soon as the
hoist of signals made by a vessel is identified, the Station responds by
hoisting the answering pennant sharply from dip to masthead. The vessel then
immediately lowers her signals. Arrangements have
been made for messages to be received at the undermentioned stations, and
forwarded to their destinations : — North Foreland, Kingsgate. Niton, near St. Catherine's point, I. of W. Haven, northern entrance to Poole Harbour. Lizard, a quarter of mile westward of Lloyd's Signal Station. Holyhead, in the town. Rosslare, three-quarters of a mile north of Railway Station. Crookhaven, half a mile westward of village. Malin Head, Lloyd's Signal Station. Inishtrahull, Lloyd's Signal Station. |
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