25. Two-Flag Signals.-Signals composed of 2 flags are urgent or important signals. They run from AB to XY.

26. Three-Flag Signals.-Signals composed of 3 flags are either compass, measurement, auxiliary phrases, or general vocabulary signals. Compass signals run from ABC to AST, signals relating to money from ASU to A VJ, and those relating to weight and measures from AVK to BCN. Three-flag signals having the code flag uppermost relate to latitude, longitude, time, barometer, or to the thermometer.

27. Four-Flag Signals.-Signals composed of 4 flags are either geographical or alphabetical signals. All geographical signals begin with the letter A or B and run from ABCD to BFAU. Alphabetical signals all commence with the letter C.

28. Since each of the 26 letters of the alphabet is represented by a flag, it is evident that any word can be spelled by this system, and if the word to be spelled consists of more than 4 letters, two or more hoists must be used, as no hoist is to contain more than 4 flags. Explanations and instructions on this subject, are to be found on pages 13 and 14 of the code book.

29. Illustrations.-In Fig. 7 are shown the principal forms of signals, where (1), (2), and (3) are urgent or important signals, (4) a compass signal, (5) a general vocabulary signal, and (6), (7), and (8) geographical signals. The interpretation of the respective signals is as follows:

30. Signals should be hoisted where they can best be seen and not necessarily at the masthead, and each hoist should be kept flying until the other vessel has signified that the signal is understood. Care should be taken not to hoist a signal in an up-and-down position or with the uppermost flag down, which sometimes occurs when signals are sent up in a hurry.

31. Selected Sentences.-The following is a selection of sentences for the use of vessels meeting at sea. By committing these signals to memory, much delay in searching for them in the code book is obviated.

U E-Report me by telegraph to owners.

U F-Report me by telegraph to "Shipping Gazette."

U G-Report me to Lloyd's (either by post or telegraph).

V J-I wish to signal; will you come within easy signal distance?
VM-Cannot distinguish your flag; come nearer.

VI-Repeat your signal.

QU-Will you forward my letters?

Q R-Send your letters.

Y E-Want assistance.

Y L-Want immediate medical assistance.

D C-We are coming to your assistance.

CX-No assistance can be rendered; do the best you can for

yourselves.

FH-Send a boat.

E U-Boat is going to you.

EX-Cannot send boat.

Code

flag

over H

-Come nearer. Stop, or heave to.

important to communicate.

I have something

I F—Cannot stop to have any communications.

R Z-Where am I? What is my present position?

QI B-What is your latitude brought up to the present moment? QZ K-What is your longitude brought up to the present moment? QH W-My latitude is

QZ F-My longitude by chronometer is

X N-Will you show me your Greenwich time?

GU-Will you give me a comparison? Wish to get a rate for my chronometer.

IQ H-I have no chronometer.

G Q-My chronometer has run down.

C, or code flag over C Yes, or affirmative.

D, or code flag over D-No, or negative.

32.

Signals of Distress.-When a vessel is in distress and requires assistance from other vessels or from the shore, the following shall be the signals to be used by her, either together or separately:

In the Daytime.-1. A gun or other explosive signal fired at intervals of about a minute.

2. The international code signal of distress indicated by N C.

3. The distant signal, consisting of a square flag, having either above or below it a ball or anything resembling a ball.