ENGINEER'S SIGNALS.

In the following, it is considered that the vessel is either leaving her anchorage, or is heading streamwards from a dock:

Jingle bell additional.....full speed astern. Whether going astern slow or at full speed, 1 Bell always stops the engines.

If running under full speed, and the engineer receives 4 quick bells, it is understood that he shall reverse the engines and go full speed astern, without waiting for the jingle bell.

SHIP'S BELLS.

The manner of telling the time on board ship is by striking the bell. 8 bells indicate midnight, 4 A. M., 8 A. M., Noon, 4 P. M., and 8 P. M. Thus it will be seen that every even four hours after midnight brings 8 bells around. After midnight the first bell struck is 1, which stands for half-past twelve; one o'clock is represented by 2 bells; half-past one by 3 bells; two o'clock by 4 bells; half-past two by 5 bells; three o'clock by 6 bells; halfpast three by 7 bells, and four o'clock by 8 bells.

At half-past four 1 bell is struck, and so on in the above order, until eight o'clock is made known by 8 bells again.

HONORS TO COMMANDER WHEN COMING ON BOARD, AND WHEN LEAVING THE SHIP.*

When the owner (commander) is seen coming off to the yacht, it should so be reported to the sailing-master (provided he is on board, and, in his absence, to the mate), who will at once station one of the quarter-masters, or one of the crew, at the "absence flag" halyards; and, as the gig comes alongside the gangway, the sailing-master shall hand the man-ropes to the commander, then step back, facing the side; and, as the commander steps over the rail, the sailing-master shall salute, by touching his cap vizor, and the absence flag shall be hauled down.

The gig shall remain alongside for orders.

The sailing-master, after ascertaining the commander's wishes in regard to it, will either order it hoisted or hauled out to the boom.

When intending to leave the ship, the commander should send word to that effect to the sailing-mnaster (or to the mate, in the absence of the former), who will see that the gig is dropped down to the starboard gangway and properly manned, when it will then be reported as ready to the commander.

The sailing-master shall then take his station at the gangway, having a hand stationed at the absence flag halyards; and, as the commander passes him to enter the boat, he shall receive and return the sailing-master's salute. The absence flag will be run up as the boat shoves off.

SHIP'S ROUTINE.

As soon as a yacht is put in commission, the organization of the officers and crew should be considered, so that everything may

* See article on the "Boatswain's Call."

work smoothly aud harmoniously, to the satisfaction and peace of the commander and the manifest benefit of all concerned. The sailing-master should be held responsible for this; and, in perfecting the details, of course, he must be guided by the number of his crew.

If, in washing down, cleaning bright work, etc., each man is given a certain station and allotted a particular piece of work, it will be found that matters will be greatly expedited, and the individual tasks will be performed better, for the reason that the man is held accountable for the appearance of his own part of of the ship.

Silence is one of the best evidences of discipline, and the officers should set the example to the crew. When it is necessary to issue an order, let it be done in a quiet tone, and avoid calling along the deck. It suggests the "coaster," and establishes a bad precedent.

HINTS.

When in port, the last anchor-watch should turn out the cook one hour before "all hands," so that morning coffee may be ready when the general call is made.

Allow about 20 minutes between "turn-out" and turn-to." After pumping the bilges, wash down decks, wipe the sides around, and then turn all hands on to the brass work.

Three-quarters of an hour should be given the crew for breakfast, after which they should again be turned to, the brass work finished, the decks tidied up, the crew dressed in their ordered uniform for the day, and everything ready for inspection by the sailing-master and commander (if the latter so desires).

The sailing-master should always have one of the men row him around the vessel the last thing in the morning, to make sure that all the running rigging is taut, no scratches or chafing on the sides; that there are no evidences of grass or scum along the water line; and that everything is proper and ship-shape.

One hour should be allowed the men for dinner—from 12 to 1. A good sailing-master will always find something for the crew to work at during the afternoon while at anchor.

Smoking should never be allowed between decks.

Smoking hours on deck should be regulated.

Never allow smoking while the crew are at work about the decks.

After supper (in port) allow the crew to smoke on the forward deck as long as they please.

Under no consideration ever permit a boat's crew to smoke while in the boat.

In sending a boat ashore, the sailing-master (or, in his absence, the mate) shall always direct the boat where to land, and when to return to the ship.

The crew should be habituated to move smartly about the decks, and to answer quickly and respectfully to their officers.

In passing the commander the crew should always salute by touching the right hand to the cap.

Mattrasses and blankets should be thoroughly aired once every week.

The sailing-master and mates should never be ashore at the same time while the yacht is in commission.

When coming to anchor, have the men stationed, and the instant the anchor leaves the cat-head, fire a gun and swing out the boat booms.

When leaving anchorage, fire a gun the instant the anchor is aweigh, and the bell is rung to go ahead.

COLORS AND SUNSET.

Yachts in commission should hoist their colors at 8 o'clock a. M., and haul them down at sunset, taking time from the senior officer present.

When in company with a United States naval vessel, or at anchor off a United States naval station, "sunset" and "colors" should be made with such vessel or station.

Between "sunset " and "colors" yachts should fly a night pen

nant.

No guns should be fired by any vessel between sunset and colors, nor on Sunday.

Guns fired between sunset and colors are considered as signals of distress.

The anchor light, gangway light, and private signal lights, should be hauled down at sunrise. *

TO MAKE SUNSET.

About fifteen minutes before the time given for sunset, have the anchor light, gangway light, and signal light or lights all got ready, the boats either hoisted or dropped astern, and the night pennant bent on.

About five minutes before sunset, station the men at the boom guys, club and private signals and ensign halyards (also absence flag halyards if the owner is not on board), anchor light whip, gangway light, and commander's distinguishing light or lights.

If you are the flag ship, you will also have a gunner stationed at the off shore gun, and wait, watch in hand (care should be observed to have it on correct local time) for the time given for sunset.

But if you are taking time from another vessel, or from the shore, the time need not concern you; simply await the sunset signal, then call: "Haul down!" At this instant let go the forward boat boom guys and swing the booms in.

Observe that the club, private signals, absence flag, and ensign, are hauled down (the two former preserving the same height to one another until they reach the deck) and that the night pennant and anchor light go aloft as soon as the order to haul down is given.

Arrange the commander's signal lantern or lanterns, and the gangway light, and make the bunting up neatly and stow it away in the flag locker.

If the boats are riding astern, give them a short painter to prevent them from being run over by vessels coming in to anchor, or passing under your stern.

* The yacht club regulations of the club the yacht belongs to must be consulted in order to understand the private signals, rules, etc.