INTERNATIONAL CODE FLAGS.

"CODE SIGNAL" AND "ANSWERING PENNANT."

N. B. When used as the "Code Signal," this Pennant is to be hoisted under the "Ensign," when used as the "Answering Pennant," where best seen.

25

76.642

99.180

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NTERNATIONAL CODE FLAGS.

'CODE SIGNAL” AND “ANSWERING PENNANT.”

-When used as the "Code Signal," this Pennant is to be hoisted rader te “Ensign,” when used as the "Answering Pennant," where best seen

letters are not used as letters, but as signs, characterizing the different flags by the most familiar method, and in an order well known.

"The last consideration which occupied the attention of the Committee was the colouring of the flags to be used.

"In determining this question, the following points were discussed :

"1. Whether Marryat's flags were the best adapted in shape and colour for signalling?

"2. Whether Marryat's flags being then generally in use on board merchant ships of this and foreign countries, and also at many foreign signal stations, it would not be convenient to adopt them as far as possible?

"The Committee were not prepared to decide the first question in the affirmative, but considering the heavy expense of procuring a new set of flags, and in deference to what appeared to be a general wish-that flags which are, and have been for many years, so generally in use in merchant ships, and with which mariners are familiar, should not, without very strong reasons, be dispensed with-the Committee determined to recommend the adoption of the flags employed in Marryat's Code (with slight variations), as far as they were applicable."

In submitting a Signal Book prepared in conformity with the foregoing Resolutions, the Committee observed

"We have only to remark, as regards the general contents, that it does not materially differ from other Signal Books.

"The general principles of the Code, and directions for its practical working, are explained in the commencement of the book; but we desire to point out to your Lordships the main advantages which it appears to us to possess over any other Code that we have had before us :

"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

“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.

As has been seen above, the flags of the International Code of Signals are eighteen in number, with the addition