CLASSES OF SIGNALS. 133. Signals of a like nature have been grouped into classes, and as these classes are made by hoists distinguished one from the other by the number of flags shewn as well as the name or shape of the upper flag, you can, by this means, tell by the form of the signal the nature of the communication made, although of course. the actual meaning of the signal can only be ascertained. by reference to the Code Book; the distinctive forms of these hoists are as under : -- 134. One Flag Signals. There are only two of these, C" yes," and D "no." 135. Two Flag Signals. Burgee uppermost.-An "Attention Signal." Ex. 1.-B. C.-Show your Ensign. (See Plate III.) Pennant uppermost.-A "Compass Signal," except when the under flag is W in which case it is a Meteoro logical Forecast" (or Weather Signal) mind this is the only case where the name or shape, of an under flag alters the class of the signal. Ex. 2.-D H-E. S. E. (See Plate III.) 3. G W Meteorological report for. to-morrow gives "Winds Variable" between the points (indicated) (See Plate III.) Square flag uppermost.—An "Urgent or Distress Signal." Ex. 4.—N C—In distress; want assistance. (See Plate III.) 66 5.-H M-Man overboard. 136. Three Flag Signals. 66 Any hoist of three flags, no matter how made up, is a "General Signal." Ex. 6. -M Q R-I have not seen the land. (See Plate III.) 7.-B Q C-Report me all well. 66 66 66 66 9. F P D-Longitude 220 "10.-G W H-36 minutes. 137. Four Flag Signals. Burgee uppermost.—A "Geographical Signal." Ex. 11.-BQ N H-Halifax, N. S. (See Plate III.) used for spelling words or names not given in the Code Book come into this class as well, they all having C. uppermost. Ex. 12.-CJ T K-Inform owner of my arrival. (See Plate III.) Ex. 13.—D Q R T-Repeat the last signal made. Pennant G. uppermost.-The "Name of a Man of War." Ex. 14.-G QK S-Bellerophon 15 Guns. (See Plate III.) Square Flag uppermost.—The “Name of a Merchant Ship." Ex. 15.-V HF M-Empire Queen of St. John N. B. Official Number 46133, Ton. 1174 (See Plate III). READING SIGNALS. 138. By a Reference to the Code Book it will be seen that the Signals are arranged in Alphabetical order, (as in a Dictionary); they commence with the Attention Signals, and then after using up all the two flag hoists, proceed with the three flag, and then the four flag signals. The Geographical Signals are found at the end of Part I; Part II is taken up entirely with the Spelling, and National Vocabulary Signals. Names of Men of War and Merchant Ships are in a separate book. Ex. 16.-Give the meaning of the signal B Q C 139. In Part II of the Code Book the leading words of phrases are arranged alphabetically; look out the one you want, and underneath will be found one or more sentences bearing upon this word, from which you can select the one which will suit you best, and alongside will be found the Signal corresponding. The names of places (to make a Geographical Signal) will be found at the end of Part II; to find a Ship's Signal Letters, enter the list in the separate book with her official number. Give the Signal Letters corresponding to the following sentences: 35-Keep on the starboard tack. “ 36—“Humming-bird" of Windsor N. S. Official Number 48462 37-N. by W. 1 W. "38-What is your Longitude,brought up to the present moment. "39-6700. 40-You are in a dangerous or unsafe position. "41-Signal is annuled. "42-You will be aground at low water. 43-"Iona" of Pictou N. S. Official Number 43073. 140. Distant Signals are used when, through fog or distance, the colors of the flags cannot be distinguished. The characteristic of one of these hoists is that there is always not less than one ball in it, consequently when a ball is seen in the formation of a signal, the names of the flags are not to be taken into consideration, you have simply to look at their shape, and notice them only as being either Square Flags or Pennants. In making a signal, the hoist representing each letter must be run up separately, so that for a General Signal, three distinct hoists would have to be made, and |