Chapter XXV: Appendix

The _first_ or 1 is a motion to the right of the sender.

The _second_ or 2 is a motion to the left of the sender.

The _third_ or 3: the flag is dropped in front of the sender and instantly returned to _position_.

The entire code is made up of these three motions--1, 2, and 3. Every letter begins and ends with _position_.

"WIGWAG" CODE. UNITED STATES NAVAL CODE FOR VISUAL AND TELEGRAPHIC SIGNALLING.

ALPHABET.

A 22 B 2112 C 121 D 222 E 12 F 2221 G 2211 H 122 I 1 J 1122 K 2121 L 221 M 1221 N 11 O 21 P 1212 Q 1211 R 211 S 212 T 2 U 112 V 1222 W 1121 X 2122 Y 111 Z 2222

NUMERALS. 1 1111 2 2222 3 1112 4 2221 5 1122 6 2211 7 1222 8 2111 9 1221 0 2112

ABBREVIATIONS.

a after. b before. c can. h have. n not. r are. t the. u you. ur your. w word. wi with. y why.

x x 3 = "numerals follow" or "numerals end." sig. 3 = signature. 3 = End of word. 33 = End of sentence. 333 = End of message. 22, 22, 3 = I understand.

The complete number opposite each letter or numeral stands for that letter or numeral.

Example: The signal sent by Commodore Schley's flagship "Brooklyn" that memorable 3d of July--

T H E E N E M Y' S F L E E T 2, 122, 12 3 12, 11, 12, 1221, 111, 212 3 2221, 221, 12, 12, 2, 3 L, RLL, RL D RL, RR, RL, RLLR, RRR, LRL D LLLR, LLR, RL, RL, L, D

I S C O M I N G O U T O F 1, 212 3 121, 21, 1221, 1, 11, 2211 3 21, 112, 2 3 21, 2221 R, LRL D RLR, LR, RLLR, R, RR, LLRR D LR, RRL, L D LR, LLLR

H A R B O R. 122, 22, 211, 2112, 21, 211, 333. RLL, LL, LRR, LRRL, LR, LRR, DDD.

R = Right = 1. L = Left = 2. D = Drop = 3.

NIGHT SIGNALLING.

The lights in the Ardois system--named after its inventor--sometimes called "shroud lights," are placed well up on the foremast. They are red and white electric bulbs. There are four of each placed in a line one above the other, in groups of two--- a red and white bulb together. Unlike the "wigwag" system, the whole letter is shown at once.

The code is the same as the "wigwag." One is indicated by a red light, two by white, and three by the combination, white, white, red and white.

Both systems may be mastered very easily by a little painstaking practice, and much amusement may be had through the mystification of those who do not understand it. A "wigwag" flag may be easily made by sewing a white square of muslin in the centre of a red bandana handkerchief.

The best method of learning this system is to send simple messages, looking up the letters that there is any doubt about, and correcting mistakes as you go along.