2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

(Inclosure G.)

Note showing proposed alteration at pages xv and xvi of the signal book.

[Extract from the report of a committee of 1855. ]

"First, its comprehensiveness and distinctness, the combination of the signs expressing the nature of the signal made-[two* flags or symbols in a hoist always meaning either danger or urgency]—and the signals throughout being arranged in a consecutive series, so that any individual signal, whether a word or a sentence, may readily be found ; secondly, that the flags and pennants are so arranged as by their position to characterize the signals made; thus,

*[“ In signals with two signs-
“The burgee uppermost represents

“Attention signals.”
"A pennant uppermost .

"Compa88 signals."
"And a square flag uppermost represents "Danger signals."]
“In signals composed of four signs-
“The burgee uppermost represents...

“Geographical."
“A pennant uppermost ....

“Vocabulary." “And a square flag uppermost represents

“Ships' names." " and thirdly, that the arrangement of the code is such as to hold out to foreigners the same advantages that it affords to our own marine."

This committee (of 1888] have slightly departed from the recommendations contained in the last part of the above report as follows, viz:

Instead of the wordsf in brackets, as above, this committee have adopted the following words:

+[Two flags in one hoist mean attention and demand, compass, and
urgent or important signals, which are now classed into three groups,
according to the sign which is uppermost, as follows, viz:
A two-sign signal with-
The burgee uppermost represents

Attention or demand.
A pennant uppermost represents ... Compass signals.
A square flag uppermost represents Urgency or importance.]

SUPPLEMENTARY INCLOSURE TO INTERIM REPORT.
Since the publication of Parliamentary Paper, No. C. 5695, the following additional replies to the letter dated January

20, 1888 (Inclosure F), have been received.

2.

3.

5.

6.

Persons, firms, socie. Date of reply. Whether the time has ties, etc., applied to

arrived for establish.
for observations.

ing a system whereby
the signals in the In-
ternational Code book
may be made by night
as well as by day

If there is a general de

mand for such a sys.
tem, what system
should be adopted ?

If such a system were

established, whether
any danger is likely to
arise therefrom owing
to the inducement it
might afford to ships
to approach one an.
other too closely at
night for the purpose
of signaling?

o report wheth
ought to be any, and
if so what, restrictions
on the use of night
signals, especially in
crowded waters?

Is it desirable to establish some

special warning signals to
indicate danger to passing
vessels. If so, what should
they be, and by what means
should they be made ?

Jan. 19, 1889

British India Steam
Navigation Company.
Inclosure No. 1 (W.

H. Aitkinson,
marine superin-
tendent, Cal.
cutta).

was

Submit the opinions of their marine superintendents and commanders.
Such signals are desira- Knows of no special de- | No serious danger, as If the system adopted Very difficult to make special
ble, but without sire for such a system. they would not be

Morse flashing night danger signals. Ex:
special training would The only safe system much used.

signals there need not perts alone would understand be of little use. would be the Morse.

be any restriction, The Morse system, and col

ored lights are generally ob-
jectionable through risk of
confusion with side lights,
but a small number of dan.
ger signals might be mado

with red and white lights.
Time has arrived for the No knowledge of gen. Apprehends no danger Pronounced signals, as
system to be estab- eral demand for such on this score.

rockets, blue and red
lished.
a system, but if one

lights, now used as pri.
is adopted, the flash.

vate signals, should be ing ligbt, with Morse

set apart for pilot and alphabet, is most suit.

danger signals, and arable.

rangements of colored

lights substituted.
Time not yet arrived Has heard of no demand Great danger may arise Should be prohibited in Night signals should be adopt.
for establishment of for such a system. through inducement to English and Irish chan- ed. Morso telegraph might
such a system.

ships to close with nels and in pilot waters be used. Steam whistles by
each other.
generally.

steamers and flashing lan-
terns by sailing ships with

guns. Night signals should be Flash signals best as It is possible that res. Can give no answer. Does not know what system adopted. colored lights are eas. sels might close with

should be adopted. It is ily mistaken. ono another through

desirable that special warnseveral reasons.

ing signals be instituted.

Inclosure No. 5

(A, P. Turner, master mariner).

Time has arrived forthe

adoption of such a sys. teni.

No general demand for

systems. Morse flash. ing signals most conveuient.

Dangers would arise Restrictions should be from vessels closing.

made in crowded
waters, and their use
allowed only in urgent
cases.

It is desirable to establish

warning signals. Rockets and blue lights best.

Without great prudence Colored-light signals un Gun and rocket signals best.

tbere would be danger necessary in narrow Every steamer might carry of vessels closing. waters, or where much white, red, and green globe traffic prevails.

lamps, with which a numberof

permutations might be made. Time has arrived for Great need of system. No danger would arise No restriction sbould?be It is absolutely necessary to

night signals to be es. A simple flashing sys. from properly estab. placed on use ot' night establish warning signals;
tablished.
tem, such as used in
lished system.

sights, provided no it possible, whole Interna-
royal navy, best.

confusion were possi. tional Code of night lights.
ble with lights in com.

mon use.
Number of night signals Suggests use of "sym-

Is not in favor of general Warning siglais should be in.
insufficient.
bols,” which would

night signaling in troduced.
only necessitate threo

crowded waters.
lamps showing colors
at present used at sea.
The flashing light sys-
tem is liable to error
and would take too

long.
It is desirable to estab. There is a general de Danger might arise from Should be restricted to If any warning signals be used

lish a system of night mand for such a sys. signals being misread; urgent siguals in nar. they must be simple. Co.
signaling, but doubts tem, especially in ur. no necessity forvessels row waters.

lomb's night signals or the
the safety of such sig. gent cases; recom. approaching closely.

Morse code.
nals.

mends Colomb's flash-
ing signals.

Great danger might arise A few simple warning signals

in crowded waters by might be used.

use of signals.
Has no suggestion to

offer; thinks present
system sufficient.
Thinkistis not desirable No general demand for Night signaling would Every restriction should Special warning signal might
to establish night sig. any system.

add to danger.

be put on bright light be established by colored naling

signaling.

lights on Morse system of

flasbing signals.
Answer in the negative. Answer in the negative. Sees no danger from this Restrictions would be re- Warning signals would be

point of view.

quired in narrow beneficial.

waters. Considers night signal. Thinks demand is not

Might prove dangerous One or two warning signals ing impracticable and great.

in narrow waters.

beneficial ; rockets and blue unnecessary.

lights besi.

Time has not yet come.. No.

Yes.

Inclosure No. 17

(J. Stone, master mariner).

A few warning signals might be useful.