repeated by the answering vessel: this will serve to denote the bearings of
each to the other, and at the same time express the desire to exchange Signals.
The plate annexed gives a representation of a signal lamp designed by
Mr. Richardson to facilitate the use of the night signals. The lamp travels
up and down in a frame of strong iron wire, being raised and lowered by a
line passing through small iron sheaves and reaching to the deck. The
lower part of the frame being covered with a piece of sailcloth or any opaque
article, the lamp when at rest will be eclipsed; the upper part being sur-
rounded with red bunting, the middle lamp when raised to the top of the
frame will emit a red light; the middle of the frame being uncovered, the
lamp when half raised will emit a white light. By the use of four of these
lamps suspended each from the other and their several lines reaching to the
deck, the night signals may be used with the same facility as a semaphore.
The Fog Signals are founded on the system employed for the Night
Signals, viz., Roman Numerals, and are equally simple and effective.
report of a single gun or musket, the blast of a steam whistle, or any other
sound capable of being distinctly heard at the distance intended to be reached,
represents the Roman Numeral I. The report of two guns, muskets, &c.,
at short intervals, represents the Roman Numeral V. Three reports, at
short intervals, denote Part V, or Sentences, the part of the Code of most
use under the circumstances in which Fog Signals would be required;
the system can easily be adapted to the whole Code as follows:-
The signal of two guns, muskets, &c., fired at short intervals, should be
first given, and be occasionally repeated until it is answered by the same
signal, and it must clearly be understood that no signal has any other
meaning attached to it until the answering signal has been made.
An interval of as short a time as possible to ensure distinctness should
elapse between the two reports representing the numeral V.
An interval of fifteen seconds should elapse between the single reports.
An interval of thirty seconds should elapse between the signals representing
each digit.
It is, however, possible that longer intervals than those named might be
necessary, or again with small arms less intervals would suffice; it will, in
either case, be only necessary to adhere to the relative proportions the
different intervals bear to each other.
In using the Fog Signals it will be even more desirable than with the
Night Signals to repeat the signals made; but should this not be practicable,
the signal of two reports, at close intervals, will be necessary as an answering
signal.
Two reports, and one report from the answering vessel, should denote
that the signal was not understood.
Two reports, two reports and one report, forming No. XI, should be the
cancelling signal, to be used when it is desired to cancel the previous signal
made.
Plate of the Flags and Pendants, Telegraphic communication, &c.
Plate of the Geometrical Signals.
Plate of the Substitutes or Numeral Repeaters.
Plate of the Night Signals.
Plate of the Maritime Merchant Flags of all Nations.
Explanation of the use of the Code, the Geometrical Signals, the Substitutes or
Numeral Repeaters, the Night Signals, and the Fog Signals.
The Directions of H. B. Majesty's Government for the use of Lights by Sea-going
Vessels to prevent collisions.
A List of Agents to Lloyd's.
Royal Humane Society's Directions for the Recovery of the apparently drowned.
The Names in the Addenda, which have been added since the first formation of the
Code, are incorporated alphabetically with their Numbers inserted after the
Names. The figures within the parentheses () denote the Number of Guns
at which the Vessels are rated, and the abbreviations, sc. st., screw steamer;
rev. ves., revenue vessel; sur. ten., surveying tender; fl. bat., floating
battery; sc. st. g. b., screw steam gunboat; b., building.
|