Chapter XXVI: Appendix: Navy Code Flags

Messages sent by the navy code flags cannot be read except by the aid of the code book. There are ten numeral flags--1 to 9, and one for 0. All messages are made up by means of these ten flags headed by the code flag (whether it be geographical, telegraph, or navy list).

For instance, a line of bunting is sent up on the flagship's signal halliards. It is read from the top down. The geographical flag flies first; then follow 7, 6, 3, 8. It means that the message can be found in the geographical list, number 7638.

The repeaters are used to avoid confusion. Instead of putting two number 1 flags together, for instance, number 1 is flown with a repeater under it; second repeater repeats number 2, and so on.

PREPARATORY.--Over hoist. Prepare to execute subjoined order.

INTERROGATION.--Alone. What is that signal? or "I don't understand--repeat." Above hoist puts signal in interrogative sense.

ANSWERING.--Flown by ship receiving message indicates that signal is understood.

AFFIRMATIVE.--Alone. Yes. Above hoist puts message in affirmative or permissive sense.

NEGATIVE.--Alone. No. Above hoist puts message in negative sense.

MEAL or NUMERAL.--Alone. Crew at mess. Above or below hoist--the numeral flags are to be taken as numbers simply.

CONVOY.--Alone at fore, means naval convoy. Above hoist means use navy list.

POSITION.--In manoeuvres, hoisted by each ship as it gets into position ordered; lowered when next ship gets into place.

GUARD or GUIDE.--As its name implies--flown by guard or guide ship.

TELEGRAPH.--Use telegraph list.

DESPATCH or GEOGRAPHICAL.--Alone at fore, indicates that the ship flying it is carrying despatches. Above hoist. Use geographical list.

CORNET.--Alone. Ship about to sail. Over number. Official number of ship.

GENERAL RECALL.--Recalls all small boats.

POWDER.--Hoisted alone in port. Taking powder on board. Alone at sea. Distress.

RATING MARKS IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY.

THE INSIGNIA OF RANK OF COMMISSIONED, WARRANT, AND PETTY OFFICERS.

There are four classes of officers in the United States navy, and each has its own distinguishing mark.

The commissioned officers of the line.

The commissioned corps.

The warrant officers.

The petty officers.

The first two classes are graduates of Annapolis, or regularly commissioned by the Government. The last two are composed of enlisted men who have been promoted.

The rank device of the commissioned officers is worn on the shoulder-knot of the full dress uniform and on the collar of the service coat.

The marks are as follows:

Foul anchor with silver stars at ends; and one stripe of gold lace two inches wide, and one of one-half inch wide above it, on sleeves.

A star with a foul anchor at either side of it; and one stripe of gold lace two inches wide on sleeves.

A spread eagle with foul anchor at either side. Four one-half-inch stripes of gold lace on sleeves.

Foul anchor with silver oak leaves at ends. Three stripes of half-inch gold lace on sleeves.

LIEUTENANT-COMMANDER.--A silver foul anchor with a silver oak leaf at either end. Two stripes of half-inch gold lace with a quarter-inch stripe between.

Silver foul anchor with two silver bars at either side. Two stripes of gold lace one-half inch wide on sleeves.

Silver foul anchor with one silver bar at either side. Two stripes of gold lace, half and quarter-inch, on sleeves.

A gold foul anchor on collar or shoulder-knot and one stripe of gold lace on sleeves.

THE COMMISSIONED CORPS.

The commissioned corps' devices are substituted for the anchor by staff officers, who wear the same rank devices as are prescribed for line officers with whom they have relative rank.

THE PAY CORPS.--A silver oak sprig and a narrow band of white cloth above and below the gold lace on sleeves.

THE MEDICAL CORPS.--A spread oak leaf of gold with an acorn of silver, and a band of dark maroon velvet above and below the gold lace on sleeves.

THE ENGINEER CORPS.--Four silver oak leaves, and a band of red cloth above and below the gold lace on sleeves.

PETTY OFFICERS' RATING MARKS.

All petty officers wear a rating device on the sleeve of the outer garment above the elbow. If they belong to the starboard watch the mark will be sewed on the right sleeve; if the port, on the left.

The petty officers' device always has a spread eagle above it. The specialty mark indicating to which department he belongs is just below in the angle formed by the chevrons. The chevrons indicate the class. Three chevrons, first class; two, second class, and so on. The chief petty officers have an arch of the same cloth connecting the two ends of the top chevron.

The specialty marks are as follows:

The seaman class is indicated by the rows of braid on the cuffs.

Seamen, first class or able-bodied seamen, have three rows of braid.

Seamen, second class or ordinary seamen, have two rows of braid.

Seamen, third class or landsmen, have one row of braid.

The watch mark for the enlisted men not petty officers consists of a stripe of braid on the sleeve close to the shoulder. For the seaman, white on blue clothes, blue on white clothes.

For the engineer force, red on both white and blue clothes.

The watch mark indicates the watch of which the wearer is a member. The starboard men wear it on the right arm, and the port men on the left.

TAKING SOUNDINGS.

HEAVING THE LEAD.

The man using the "lead line" (as the sounding-line weighted with lead is called) stands on a grating that projects over the side. This is placed near enough so that the steersman can hear the man who "heaves the lead" when he calls out the number of fathoms of water. This he tells by the marks on the "lead line" as follows:

2 fathoms, twelve feet, 2 strips of leather. 3 " 3 strips of leather. 5 " white rag. 7 " red rag. 10 " leather with hole in it. 13 " 3 strips of leather or blue rag. 15 " white rag. 17 " red rag. 20 " 2 knots. 25 " 1 knot. 30 " 3 knots. 35 " 1 knot. 40 " 4 knots. 9 " are called mark. 11 " " " deeps.

The leadsman stands on his little grating and swings the lead so it just clears the water. When it is swinging well he lets it fly in the direction in which the ship is moving and then notes the depth by the strips of leather or rags. The result is shouted out so the steersman can hear and keep the vessel in the channel.

THE BOATSWAIN'S CALLS.

The boatswain's calls or "pipes" are very difficult to reduce to a musical scale, because the pitch of the instrument depends entirely on the amount of energy expended by the blower. The novice, after a few trials, would probably assert that the primitive little whistle had only one note--and not very much of that; but he would be surprised indeed at the volume of sound, the range, and the command over the instrument which a veteran boatswain would soon make everyday matter to him. Not only do these experts sound the regular calls with ear-piercing exactness, but actual tunes are often included in their repertoire.

The pipe or whistle is held with the bulb in the centre of the palm, the hole being towards the wrist. The lobe to which the ring and lanyard are attached, serves simply as a handle.

In the diagram given, the black line indicates the "pipe" or call; the four faint horizontal lines, the notes, and the vertical bars, the time.

The roll indicated by the wavy line in the diagram is made by rapidly opening and closing the hand. The gradual rise and fall is effected in the same way, but slowly. The rattle is done by a quick movement of the tongue.

This diagram is furnished by an old boatswain. As a rule, the calls are taught entirely by personal instruction, and it is believed that they have here been put into print for the first time. None of the ordinary manuals have ever given them, the young sailor having had to learn them by experience on shipboard.

Their importance is evident from the fact that every order aboard ship is preceded by the pipe peculiar to the command; for though the words may not be heard, the whistle can always be distinguished. Even the most lubberly landsman, with such continuous practice, soon learns the meaning of the different calls, and jumps to obey them.

1. First Captain, Second Boarder. 2. Second Captain, First Boarder. 3. First Loader, Second Boarder, 4. Second Loader, First Boarder. 5. First Shellman, Pumpman, Port guard. 6. Second Shellman, Fireman, Port guard. 7. First Shellman, Second Rifleman. 8. Second Shellman, First Rifleman.

1. Stands at elevating gear wheel and sights and fires the gun.

2. Stands at the right and beside the breech; opens same after firing so shell can be taken out.

3. Stands at the left training wheel--i.e., the wheel that moves the gun laterally. He also loads the gun.

4. Stands at the right training wheel. He takes out the empty shell after firing, and wears heavy gloves for that purpose.

5 and 6. Stand just behind No. 2 to the right of the gun. They may be termed emergency men. They assist with the shells, carry the wounded, if any; will be called away in case of fire, and are qualified to sight and fire the gun in case the first and second captains are wounded or killed. They provide revolvers and belts for Nos. 1, 2, and 3, and belts for Nos. 5, 6, 7, and 8. They are also port guards, and defend the ports in case of close action.

7 and 8. Carry shells from the ammunition hoist to a position amidships convenient for quick transport to the gun. They are also riflemen, and may be called to protect any part of the ship from boarders or from fire on shore.