THE

INTERNATIONAL

(COMMERCIAL)

CODE OF SIGNALS.

"The International Code of Signals for the Use of All Nations" was, on its first publication in 1857, known as the "Commercial Code of Signals." The more comprehensive title has since been adopted, owing to its acceptance by all maritime nations as the means of communication between passing ships, and between ships and signal stations placed along the coast, for which purpose translations of the Code have been made by order of the different governments.

The characteristics of the Code are comprehensiveness and distinctness.

Its comprehensiveness consists in the ability of the Code to give upwards of 78,000 Signals, each made in one Hoist, in one place, without the use of Distinguishing or Repeating Flags or Pennants, no Hoist being ever composed of more than Four Flags.

Its distinctness is shown in the circumstance that separate and particular Signals, distinguished by the form of the Hoist, are, to use a common expression, made to tell their own tale.

THE CODE FLAGS.

The International Code consists of 18 Flags, viz. :— 1 Burgee,

4 Pennants,

13 Square Flags;

and in addition a pennant called the Code Signal, which is also the Answering Pennant.

The 18 Flags represent the Consonants of the Alphabet, viz., B, C, D, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, and W; these are shown on the coloured plate facing Title, but may be described as follows:

H White and Red (vertical).

J Blue, White, and Blue (horizontal).
K Yellow and Blue (vertical).

L Blue and Yellow (in four chequers).
M Blue, with white cross from corners.
N Blue and White (in sixteen chequers).
P Blue Peter.

Q Yellow (Quarantine flag).

R Red, with Yellow cross (vertical and horizontal). S White, with Blue centre.

T Red, White, and Blue (vertical), i.e. Tricolour. V White, with Red cross from corners.

W Blue, White, and Red; i.e. Blue outside, then White, with Red centre.

CODE SIGNAL or ANSWERING PENNANT.

Pennant, in alternate Red and White vertical stripes.

Note. When used as the "Code Signal" this Pennant is to be hoisted under the "Ensign "; when used as the "Answering Pennant" hoist it where best seen.

Note.—These Flags represent certain letters of the alphabet, not as alphabetical letters, whereby a word or set of words (to form a sentence) can be spelt, But as arbitrary Signs or Symbols.

Having learnt to distinguish the Flags, it is equally necessary that you should understand the special and distinctive character of the various Signals, as indicated by the Form of the Hoist and Upper Flag.

DISTINCTIVE CHARACTER OF SIGNALS MADE BY FLAGS.

A Single Flag, when used, may be

The Code Pennant, which is also the Answering
Pennant.

The White Pennant (C) signifies Yes: (Affir-
mative).

The Blue Pennant (D) signifies No: (Negative). Note.-All other Code Signals are made with Two, Three, or Four FLAGS in a hoist, and the special character of the Signal is indicated by the Upper Flag of the hoist. TWO-Flag Signals having

The Burgee uppermost, are Attention or Demand
Signals.

A Pennant uppermost, are Compass Signals.*

*

* The Compass Signals, in points and half points, are Correct Magnetic; those ranging

N. have pennant C uppermost.

From North to E.
From East to S. E. have pennant D uppermost.

From South to W.

S. have pennant F uppermost.

From West to N.

W. have pennant G uppermost.

Each pennant with the Flag W underneath indicates some special Meteorological Report.

A Square Flag uppermost, are Urgent, Danger, or
Distress Signals.*

THREE-Flag Signals are

General or Universal,† and relate to all ordinary subjects of inquiry or communication appertaining to Ships and Shipping, Crew, Passengers, Emigrants, Cargo, Provisions, Letters, Mails, News, Sick, Quarantine, Books and Instruments of Navigation, Lights and Buoys, Soundings, Latitude, Longitude, Time, Weather, Winds, Police, Officials, Repairs, Stores, Spars, Supplies, Engineers, Engines, Anchorage, Pilots, Tides, Money, Value, Quantity, Numbers, Address, &c., &c.

FOUR-Flag Signals having

The Burgee uppermost, are Geographical Signals.‡
The Pennant C, D, or F uppermost, are Spelling
and Vocabulary Signals.

The Pennant G uppermost, are names of Men-of-
War.§

A Square Flag uppermost, are names of Merchant
Ships and also of Yachts. §

* Urgent Signals range from HB to SD, and relate to distress, danger, caution, directions to a vessel under weigh or at anchor, fire, leak, various wants, need of assistance, communication with shore, &c., &c.

+ General Signals, with flag F, G, or H uppermost, relate to Latitude, Longitude, Time, Nautical Instruments and Books, Weather, Wind, Storm, Fog, Ice, and Sea.

Countries, Ports, Harbours, Islands, Capes, Seas, Gulfs, Bays, Channels, &c., are included under this head, and generally arranged according to their coast-line and contiguity: with Alphabetical Index. Signal Letters B CDF to BTK G.

§ For these signals you must use the British Code List for the year, which gives the Signal Letters assigned to Men-of-War, Merchant Vessels, and Yachts, thus

GSDF is H.M.S. "Iron Duke."

QTFG is the "Pericles," of Aberdeen, of 1,598 tons.

NTGF is the sc. st. yacht "Sunbeam," of the Royal Yacht Squadron.

INSTRUCTIONS ON USING THE FLAGS.

Show the Ensign and the Code Signal under it when necessary to signify that the International Code is used. The Flags making the Signal should be hoisted at the Masthead, if possible; or otherwise, where they may best be seen.

EXAMPLES ILLUSTRATING THE FORM OF HOIST.

(See Coloured Plate.)

1. Attention signal B J signifies "Show your distinguishing signal."

2. Compass signal C K signifies "N.E. b N." 3. Compass signal F T signifies "W. b S."

4. Urgent signal Q H signifies "Heave to, I have something important to communicate."

5. Urgent signal K J signifies "Get her on the other tack, or you will be on shore."

6. Urgent signal Q C signifies "Repeat your signal; it is not understood."

7. General signal B T F signifies "I will wait while you write."

8. General signal F G H signifies "What is your

longitude, brought up to the present moment ? " 9. General signal S B Q signifies "Report me by telegraph to Lloyd's.'

10. Geographical signal B H K Q signifies "Port Vecchio."

11. Name of Man-of-War G S T K signifies "Her Majesty's ship (tw. sc.) Northampton."

12. Name of Merchant Vessel H P L D signifies "Russia of Glasgow (steamer) 1,710 tons, 600 h.p."

Note.—A homeward bound ship passing another ship should hoist B P W, "Do you wish to be reported?" and report the Distinguishing Signals given in reply.