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DIAGRAMS TO ILLUSTRATE THE USE OF THE
LIGHTS CARRIED BY VESSELS AT SEA,

AND THE MANNER IN WHICH THEY INDICATE

TO THE VESSEL WHICH SEES THEM, THE POSITION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE VESSEL THAT CARRIES THEM.

When both Green and Red Lights are seen.

A sees a Red and Green light ahead :—A knows that a vessel is approaching her on a course directly opposite to her own, as B; (Fig. 1).

If A sees a White Mast-head Light above the other two, she knows that B is a steam vessel.

When the Red and not the Green Light is seen.

A sees a Red Light ahead or on the bow:-A knows that either (Fig. 2) a vessel is approaching her on her Port bow, as B; or (Fig. 3) a vessel is crossing in some direction to Port, as DDD. If A sees a White Mast-head Light above the Red Light, A knows that the vessel is a steam vessel, and is either approaching her in the same direction, as B, or is crossing to Port in some direction as DDD.

When the Green and not the Red Light is seen.

A sees a Green Light ahead or on the bow:-A knows that either (Fig. 4) a vessel is approaching her on her Starboard bow, as B; or (Fig. 5), a vessel is crossing in some direction to Starboard, as DDD.

If A sees a White Mast-head Light above the Green Light, A knows that the vessel is a steam vessel, and is either approaching her in the same direction, as B, or is crossing to Starboard in some direction, as DDD.

HEADS OF EXAMINATION

In Regulations respecting Lights and Fog Signals, and in the Steering and Sailing Rules.

Anchor Lights.

1.-What light or lights are required by the regulations to be exhibited by sailing vessels at anchor in a roadstead or fairway? A.-One light only; viz., a white light. (Art. 8, page 66.) 2.-What light or lights are required by the regulations to be exhibited by steam ships in a roadstead or fairway at anchor? A.-The same as for sailing vessels. (Art. 8, page 66.) 3.-Where is the anchor light to be exhibited ?

A.-Where it can best be seen. It must of course be placed where there is the least possible chance of obstruction from spars, ropes, &c. (Art. 8, page 66.)

4-To what height may the anchor light be hoisted?

A.-At a height of not more than 20 feet above the hull. (Art. 8, page 66.)

5.-What is the description of the lantern containing the anchor light required by the regulations?

A.-Globular lantern of eight inches diameter. (Art. 8, p. 66.) 6.-In what direction or directions must the anchor light show? A. All round the horizon. (Art. 8, page 66.)

7.-At what distance must it be visible? A.-At least one mile. (Art. 8, page 66.)

Sailing Ships' Lights, under weigh.

8.-What is the number of lights required by the regulations to be carried by sailing ships when under weigh at night? A.-Two. (Art. 6, page 65.)

9.-Of what colour are these lights, and how are they to be placed on board the ship?

A.-A green light on the starboard side, and a red light on the port side. (Arts. 6 and 3, pages 65 and 64.)

10.-Over how many points of the compass, and in what directions, and how far, are they required to show?

A.-Each light must show an uniform and unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 10 points of the compass; so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on the starboard and port sides respectively; and of such a character as to be visible on a dark night, with a clear atmosphere, at a distance of at least two miles. (Art. 3, page 64.)

11.-Are the side lights required to be fitted with screens; and if so, on what side, and of what length, and how?

A. Yes, on the inboard side; at least three feet in length measuring forward from the light. They are to be so fitted as to prevent the coloured lights from being seen across the bows. (Art. 3 (b, c, and d), page 64.)

12.- What lights are they to carry when being towed at night? A-The same. (Art. 6, page 65.)

Steam Ships' Lights, under steam.

13.-What is the number of lights required by the regulations to be carried by steam ships when under steam at night? A. Three lights. (Art. 3, page 64.)

14. Of what colour are these lights, and how are they to be placed on board the ship?

A.-White at the foremast-head, green on the starboard side, and red on the port side. (Art. 3 (a, b, and c), page 64.)

15.-Over how many points of the compass, in what direction, and how far, is the foremast-head light of a steamer required to show?

A.-Over 20 points, viz., from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on both sides. It must be of such a character as to be visible on a dark night, with a clear atmosphere, at a distance of at least 5 miles. (Art. 3 (a), page 64)

16.-Are they required to be fitted with screens? and if so, on which side, and what length?

A.-The green and red lights are to be fitted with screens on the inboard side, extending at least three feet forward from the light, as in the case of sailing vessels. (Art 3 (d), page 64.)

17.-Over how many points of the compass, in what directions, and how far, are the coloured side lights of steamers required to show?

A.-Each light must be so constructed as to show an uniform and unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 10 points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on the starboard and port sides respectively,

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and of such a character as to be visible, on a dark night with a clear atmosphere, at a distance of at least two miles. (Art. 3, (b, c), page 64.)

18.-What description of lights are steamers required by the regulations to carry when they are not under steam, but under sail only?

A.-Side lights only, the same as sailing vessels.

19.-What exceptional lights are to be carried by small sailing vessels in certain cases?

A. Whenever, as in the case of small vessels during bad weather, the green and red lights cannot be fixed, these lights shall be kept on deck, on their respective sides of the vessel, ready for instant exhibition, and shall, on the approach of or to other vessels, be exhibited on their respective sides in sufficient time to prevent collision, in such manner as to make them most visible, and so that the green light shall not be seen on the port side, nor the red light on the starboard side.

To make the use of these portable lights more certain and easy, the lanterns containing them shall each be painted outside with the colour of the light they respectively contain, and shall be provided with suitable screens. (Art. 7, page 65.)

21.-What description of light are sailing pilot vessels required to carry?

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A.-Sailing pilot vessels are not to carry coloured side lights, but a white light visible all round the horizon. (like an anchor light), and to burn a flare up at intervals not exceeding 15 minutes. (Art. 9, page 66.)

22.-What lights are open boats and fishing boats required to carry?

A.-Open fishing boats and other open boats shall not be required to carry the side lights required for other vessels; but shall, if they do not carry such lights, carry a lantern having a green slide on the one side and a red slide on the other side; and on the approach of or to other vessels, such lantern shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision, so that the green light shall not be seen on the port side, nor the red light on the starboard side. (Art. 10, page 66.)

Fishing vessels and open boats when at anchor, or attached to their nets and stationary, shall exhibit a bright white light.

23.-May open boats use a flare-up?

A. Yes, if considered expedient. (Art. ¡o, page 66.)