Chapter I: Part 1

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On Yacht Etiquette:

WHAT TO DO, AND HOW TO DO IT. COURTESIES, DISCIPLINE, CEREMONIES AND ROUTINE FOR ANY AND ALL CIRCUMSTANCES. DUTIES OF OFFICERS, ETC.

BY CAPTAIN HOWARD PATTERSON,

_Principal of the New York Nautical College, Formerly Commander of the New York School Ship “St. Mary’s”, Master of Various Sail and Steam Yachts, and Admiral of the Haytien Navy._

AUTHOR OF

_The Navigator’s Pocket Book_; _Yachting Under American Statute_; _The Illustrated Nautical Encyclopedia_; _The Yachtsman’s Kedge Anchor_; _Yacht Sails_; _Hand Book for Masters and Mates_, _etc._

REVISED EDITION.

NEW YORK AND LONDON; THE RUDDER PUBLISHING COMPANY

1903

COPYRIGHT, 1903,

BY

CAPTAIN HOWARD PATTERSON

PRESS OF
THOMSON & CO.
9 MURRAY ST.,
NEW YORK.

TO

HOWARD GOULD, ESQ.,
(NEW YORK YACHT CLUB)

THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED BY HIS FRIEND,
THE AUTHOR.

PREFACE

It is to be understood that the owner of the yacht is styled as “Captain” throughout this treatise, and it is eminently proper that this should be, as the Government prescribes that the owner of a yacht is entitled to take out her custom house and other papers as the lawful and legalized “Master” of his vessel.

It being impracticable to follow out naval rules strictly in the matter of salutes, courtesies, ceremonies, etc., a modification of the same has been arranged which will cover the requirements of yachting and contribute dignity to such observances as are called for in the foregoing.

As stated under the head of “Duties and Responsibilities of Officers” the rules and regulations laid down specially refer to the larger class of steam yachts, but it is explained that these laws may be modified to apply to smaller classes of pleasure vessels.

CONTENTS

COLORS IN GENERAL 11

SPECIAL LIGHTS 27

OFFICIAL CEREMONIES AND COURTESIES 29

SALUTES IN GENERAL 41

BOAT SERVICE 47

GOVERNMENT OF THE YACHT 56

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF OFFICERS 65

SYNOPSIS OF U. S. YACHTING LAWS 82

_YACHT ETIQUETTE_

COLORS IN GENERAL.

DETAILS CONCERNING YACHT FLAGS, AND HOW THEY ARE USED.

The pennant is a triangular shaped flag, and is used for the club burgee. The swallowtail is used for the captain’s (owner’s) private signal. The rectangular flag is used principally for flag officers’ distinguishing flags. The shape of the bunting will generally signify whether the flag is that of the club, of a flag officer or of a captain. The bunting used for flag officers’ distinguishing flags is colored--blue for commodore, red for vice-commodore, and white for rear-commodore.

TIME TO MAKE COLORS--PLACE TO DISPLAY SAME.

When at anchor or underway, the ensign and colors of a yacht in commission should be hoisted at 8 A. M. and kept flying until sunset (local time). This does not apply to a flag officer, who should display his official flag continuously (day and night) while in commission. When at anchor the ensign is hoisted on the flagpole at the stern of both steam and sail yachts, and when underway it is hoisted to the after gaff-end on sailing vessels; but is retained on the pole in the case of steam yachts, although it may be hoisted to the gaff-end if desired. The burgee should be hoisted to the foretopmast head on schooners, and the private signal at the maintopmast. In the case of yawls, the ensign may be hoisted to the mizzenmast head, both when at anchor and when underway, and the burgee may be hoisted to the mainmast head when at anchor and the private flag when underway, the same as on cutters, sloops and chief officers, or the yawl may be considered as a schooner and the bunting displayed as for the latter vessel. In the case of a launch the burgee should be flown from the bow pole. Flag officers’ signals should be flown from the truck of a cutter, sloop or catboat, the main truck of a schooner, yawl or steamer, and the bow pole of a launch. The church pennant is hoisted over the ensign during divine service. (See “Colors to be Flown in Yacht’s Boats.”)

SENIOR OFFICER PRESENT TO GIVE THE TIME FOR COLORS AND SUNSET.

The time for making colors and sunset should be taken from the senior officer’s yacht present, whether he is on board or not, and the only gun fired for colors and sunset should be the one on such senior’s yacht.

AT ANCHOR WITH NAVAL VESSEL OR OFF A NAVAL STATION.

When a yacht is in company with a vessel of her own navy, or at anchor off a naval station, she should regulate the time for colors and sunset to such vessel or station.

VISITING HOME WATERS OF ANOTHER YACHT CLUB.

Yachts visiting the home waters of another club (provided such waters are other than their own) should take their time for colors and sunset from the yacht of the senior officer of such club present.

ENTERING OR LEAVING PORT BEFORE COLORS OR AFTER SUNSET.

When a yacht enters port in the morning before colors are made, or in the evening after sunset, her ensign, club burgee and private signal should be displayed and kept flying until the yacht comes to anchor, when they should be hauled down--provided there be sufficient light for the colors to be recognized.

NIGHT PENNANT.

During the night (between sunset and colors) the yacht should fly a night pennant at the maintopmast head, or in the case of a three-mast vessel, at the mizzenmast head--except in the case of flag officers.

ABSENT FLAG.

During the absence of the captain from the yacht, a blue rectangular flag (called Absent Flag) should be kept flying from daylight until dark at the starboard main spreader of a fore-and-aft vessel, or on the starboard main-yard arm of a square-rigged vessel. The private signal (or flag officer’s pennant), however, is to be kept flying, whether the captain is on board or not.

SINGLE STICKERS--WHERE, WHEN AND HOW TO FLY BURGEE AND PRIVATE SIGNAL.

Single-masted vessels should not fly the private signal on the same halliards as the club burgee. When at anchor the club burgee should be displayed, and when underway the private signal, except when on the annual cruise of the club, when the club burgee should be flown both at anchor and underway.

MEAL PENNANTS.

Meal Pennants may be hoisted during hours when the colors are not displayed.

During the meal hours of the captain, when the yacht is at anchor, a white rectangular flag should be flown at the starboard main spreader, and when same is exhibited, guests are politely debarred. During the meal hours of the crew a red pennant should be flown from the port fore spreader, and at such times boat crews should not be called away unnecessarily. Of course, on a “single-sticker” the white flag and red meal pennant must both be flown from the same mast, but they will be exhibited on their proper sides. After dark a white light should be shown from the starboard main spreader to indicate that the captain is at dinner. Meal flags should not be flown when the yacht is underway. In a square-rigged yacht the captain’s meal pennant should be flown from the starboard main yard arm, and the crew’s meal pennant at the port fore yard arm. (See Dinner Light.)

COLORS TO BE FLOWN IN YACHT’S BOATS.

The yacht’s gig, launch, etc., when brought to the gangway or when away from the yacht, shall display the ensign at the stern. While the captain is in the boat, the private signal should be displayed at the bow. If a club member is in the boat without the captain, a club burgee should be displayed at the bow.

ENSIGN TO BE EXHIBITED WHEN PASSING NAVAL VESSELS, LIGHTHOUSES,
MILITARY POSTS, ETC.

The yacht ensign should be exhibited when at sea on falling in with naval vessels, or when approaching lightships, lighthouses, signal stations and military posts.

FLAG OFFICER’S PENNANT.

Flag officers fly a pennant at the main on yachts and on the forward flagstaff of gigs, to distinguish their rank. These pennants take the place of the yacht’s private signal.

YACHT SHORT-HANDED.

If the yacht is short-handed, two flags may be bent on to the same set of halliards, so that while one flag is being sent aloft the other may be coming down.

BURGEE AND PRIVATE SIGNAL MAY BE BROKEN OUT.

The club burgee and private signal may be “made up” and mast-headed previous to colors, and “broken out” when the signal for colors is given, but the ensign should never be made up and broken out.

COLORS TO BE WELL HOISTED.

Daylight should never show between the head of a flag and the truck.

MASTLESS YACHTS.

On mastless yachts the colors are exhibited on staffs placed forward and aft.

NATIONAL MOURNING.

On occasions of national mourning the ensign should be half-masted, but the burgee and private signal should be kept mast-headed, unless the official was a member of the club whose flag you are flying, in which case the club burgee should be half-masted.

DEATH OF CAPTAIN.

In the event of the death of the captain on shore, both the club burgee and private signal of his yacht should be kept half-masted from colors until sunset on the day of his funeral, but the ensign should be kept fully hoisted during the same time. If, on the other hand, the death should occur on board while the yacht is in port, then the ensign also should be half-masted as soon as the body leaves the vessel for the shore, and the ensign should be kept so flying until sunset of the same day. Should the burial of the Captain take place at sea, then the ensign of the vessel and the captain’s private signal should be displayed at half-mast at the commencement of the ceremony and kept flying until its conclusion, when the ensign and private signal should be hauled down.

DEATH OF FLAG OFFICER.

On the occasion of the death of a flag officer while his yacht is in port, his pennant should be hauled down at sunset on the day of his funeral, and should not be again hoisted--the yacht’s private signal taking its place. If the funeral takes place at sea, then the pennant should be hauled down with the ensign at the conclusion of the ceremonies.

DEATH OF CLUB MEMBER.

When mourning is ordered for the death of a club member, the burgee only is half-masted, and this should be observed whether underway or at anchor.

HOW TO HALF-MAST COLORS.

The ensign, burgee and private signal (also flag officer’s pennant) should always be mast-headed before they are half-masted.

SALUTING WITH ENSIGN AT HALF-MAST.

Whenever it becomes necessary to salute with the ensign while it is flying at half-mast, it must be mast-headed before it is dipped, and mast-headed again before it is half-masted after the salute.

HAULING DOWN HALF-MAST COLORS.

Before hauling down half-masted colors, always mast-head them first.

DEATH OF ONE OF THE CREW.

In the event of the death of the Sailing-Master, mate, or other officer, or one of the crew at sea, the ensign of the yacht should be half-masted during the funeral ceremony. Should the death of one of the above occur on board while the yacht is in port, then the ensign should be half-masted from the time that the body leaves the yacht until the return of the boat that conveyed the body to the shore.

PERMISSION TO HALF-MAST COLORS TO BE OBTAINED.

No yacht of a fleet other than that of the senior officer present should ever half-mast her colors until permission to do so has been obtained.

HOURS FOR HALF-MASTING COLORS.

Funeral honors in the way of half-masting colors should not be paid before sunrise nor after sunset.

BOAT ENGAGED IN FUNERAL CEREMONY.

When a boat is engaged in funeral ceremonies in conveying a body to the shore, the ensign in the stern should be kept half-masted until the body is landed.

MAKING COLORS.

About five minutes before colors, have the club and private signals, night pennant and ensign halliards manned, the boat-boom guys tended, and a hand stationed at the ship’s bell. As soon as the signal is given for colors, call: “Strike eight bells and hoist away!” At this instant swing out the boat booms, haul down the night pennant, and send aloft the bunting. The flags may be sent up in stops before eight bells, and broken out on the first stroke of the bell, but the ensign should never be broken out, and should be hoisted slowly.

MAKING SUNSET.

About fifteen minutes before the time given for sunset, have the anchor light, gangway light, and signal light or lights all 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 halliards, anchor-light whip, gangway light, and, if a flagship, the distinguishing lights. If you are the flagship you will also have a gunner stationed at the offshore 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 signal, 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 gangway lights, 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, and never allow a boat to ride astern without a white light in same. If boat booms remain swung out, they should have a white light at the outboard end.

DAY SIGNALS FOR PILOTS.

The following signals, numbered 1 and 2, when displayed together or separately, shall be deemed to be signals for a pilot, in the day time: 1st, To be hoisted at the fore, the Jack or other national color usually worn by merchant ships, having round it a white border one-fifth of the breadth of the flag; or, 2d, The International Code Pilotage Signal, indicated by Flag “S.”.

NIGHT SIGNALS FOR PILOTS.

The following signals, numbered 1 and 2, when used or displayed together, or separately, shall be deemed to be signals for a pilot, in the nighttime; 1st, The pyrotechnic light, commonly known as a blue light, every fifteen minutes; or, 2d, a bright white light, flashed or shown at short intervals, just above the bulwarks, for about a minute at a time.

SIGNAL FOR TOWING-BOAT.

The signal for a towing-boat is made by setting the ensign in the main rigging a little above the deck.

DRESSING SHIP.

The prettiest mode of dressing a ship with flags is to make an arch of them from the jib-boom end to the foretopmast head, thence across to the maintopmast head, and down to the main boom end, allowing two or more flags to hang down under the jib-boom end and the main boom end respectively, with a lead attached to the end of each line to keep the flags from flying around. Hoisted to the trucks, by the regular signal halliards, should be the ensign Jack, or the flags of the nation in whose port the ship is lying, or the distinguishing flags of the person whom it is desired to honor. The arch of flags should be hoisted so as to give the former flags room to display themselves. Have blocks at the topmast heads for the fore-and-aft strings of arch flags, and hoist the flags to them by means of a whip. The flying jib halliards will do to hoist the foremost part of the arch (from the jib-boom end to the foretopmast head). Care should be taken and taste must be exercised in selecting and placing the flags, and rectangular flags should alternate with pennants. Reeve off the three arch halliards and measure the distance in the three clear parts, by marking the halliards so that you will know what length of flags to bend on, and thus avoid the inconvenience and annoyance of sending the string on deck after they have once been hoisted, for the purpose of alterations. In addition to stopping the flags to the halliards on the head and tack, take a couple of stitches to the halliards about midway. The Jack should be hoisted on the Jack-staff on the bowsprit. In reeving off the halliards for the span between the fore and maintopmast heads, let the ends (or hauling parts) lead through single blocks and down alongside of the fore and main masts, respectively, bending the flags on to the bight, and trice up by the two parts, manned at the same time that the flags are sent aloft. At sunset come up with your outhauls, and the forward and after strings of flags will come inboard, and can then be lowered away. Just before “colors” send the two mast-head ensigns aloft “made up.” When the signal is made, hoist away on the arch halliards, and, at the instant the flags reach home, “break out” the ensign and the Jack. Pennants and square flags should be bent on alternately. Another mode of dressing ship is by “up-and-down” flags--that is, by flying a string of flags from each topmast head to the deck. Flag officers’ pennants and burgees should not be used in dressing ship, nor should the ensign of any foreign nation be displayed, except it is desired to compliment such nation, when it should be flown from the main truck. When a yacht is dressed all her lowered boats should fly the ensign, whether underway or riding to the boat booms. On special occasions a steam yacht underway, or a sailing yacht being towed, may dress ship.

COMMODORE OF A CLUB ON A CRUISE WITH ANOTHER CLUB IN WHICH HE IS A
MEMBER.

In such an event the Commodore should not fly his rank flag, but should fly the club flag of the cruising club, and should also fly his private signal, so as not to exhibit evidence of his flag rank in any way. In other words, he should act simply as a Captain during the cruise, or while he remains with the squadron. When at anchor with the squadron at night, he should display only the Captain’s light, the same as the other Captains, and never, under any circumstances, show Commodore’s lights.

FLAG OFFICER OF A CLUB ENTERING HARBOR OF ANOTHER CLUB IN WHICH HE IS
A MEMBER.

In this case circumstances govern. Should the Commodore enter said harbor, either alone or while on a cruise with his squadron, he should fly his Commodore’s pennant and club flag; but if he is cruising independently, after relegating his command to his junior, and is at anchor in the harbor of a yacht club to which he belongs, then, if he elects to fly the latter’s club flag, he should do so together with his private signal; but he should not fly his Commodore’s pennant with a club flag other than that of which he is Commodore.

USE OF COMMODORE’S PRIVATE SIGNAL.

The Commodore’s private signal should be used only on such occasions as he does not fly his Commodore’s pennant--cruising with another club in which he is a member, etc.

COMMODORE’S PENNANT NIGHT AND DAY.

The Commodore’s flag shall not be hauled down at sunset, but shall be flown day and night. Should it be desired to substitute an old pennant for service during the night, then send aloft the old pennant made up, and break it out before commencing to lower the other. Of course, this requires two sets of halliards, which should always be rove on a flagship.

THE JACK--WHEN DISPLAYED.

The Jack should be set on Sundays, also on all occasions of ceremony, the same being flown from a staff on the bowsprit. Wash clothes should not be hung up when the Jack is exhibited.

SPECIAL LIGHTS.

COMMODORE’S LIGHTS.

Between sunset and colors, when in harbor, the Commodore shows two blue lights in globular lanterns suspended perpendicularly at the after gaff-end, or on the flagpole at the stern.

VICE-COMMODORE’S LIGHTS.

The Vice-Commodore shows the same number of lights as the Commodore, and in the same place, but the color is red.

REAR-COMMODORE’S LIGHTS.

The Rear-Commodore also shows the same number of lights and in the same place as prescribed for the Commodore, but the color is white.

ABSENT LIGHT.

At night a blue lantern should be substituted for the blue absent flag, and hoisted at the starboard main spreader or yard arm.

DINNER LIGHT.

A white light hung at the starboard main spreader or yardarm after sunset has the same significance as the white meal pennant.

WHITE LANTERNS UNDER THE BOOM.

These are used for illuminating the after deck and have no official significance.

OFFICIAL CEREMONIES AND COURTESIES.

QUARTER-DECK TO BE SALUTED.

The quarter-deck should always be saluted by officers and men, by touching or raising the cap, upon coming over the gangway when boarding or leaving their own or another yacht, or a naval vessel.

YACHT JOINING A SQUADRON MUST REPORT.

When joining a squadron, a yacht must report to the commanding officer of the squadron, by the owner of said yacht visiting in person the flag officer in charge, and a yacht should never part company with the squadron without receiving permission so to do.

SENIOR OFFICER TO RETURN SALUTES AND VISITS.

The senior officer present is in command of all the yachts at the anchorage that are flying the burgee of the club he represents, and it is his duty to make and return salutes and visits.

SENIOR OFFICER TO TENDER CIVILITIES TO VISITING YACHT--CAPTAIN OF
VISITING YACHT TO PAY RESPECTS IN PERSON.

When a yacht visits the home waters of another club, and after salutes have been exchanged, the senior officer present representing such home club should send to the visiting yacht a tender of the civilities of the club, after which the Captain of the visiting yacht should pay his respects in person to the commanding officer of the anchorage.

RECEPTION OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

The President of the United States should be received at the gangway of the yacht by the commanding officer of such, and should be piped over the side by the boatswain--the crew being drawn up in line on the port side of the deck. As the President reaches the deck, the President’s flag should be broken out at the main-topmast-head, and one gun fired from the yacht in salute to same, while the Captain, officers and crew should raise their caps in salute. When the President leaves, the crew should be stationed as before, and the Captain should escort the President to the gangway, where the Boatswain should be stationed as before, to blow the pipe and raise his cap, together with the crew, as the President reaches the rail. One gun should be fired and the President’s flag hauled down as soon as the boat conveying the President shoves off from the yacht’s side. Provided the President embarks in one of the yacht’s boats, his flag should be carried on the flagpole in the bows of the boat, while the President is in it, and the yacht’s ensign should be carried at the stern, as usual. The Sailing-Master of the yacht should be detailed to take charge of the yacht’s boat that carries the President. The Captain’s gig should always be the boat employed in transporting guests whom it is desired to specially honor.

RECEPTION OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

The Vice-President of the United States should receive the same honors as prescribed for the President, except that the national flag should be substituted for the President’s flag and only one salute fired, which should take place when the Vice-President leaves. A small national flag should be carried on the flagstaff in the bows of the yacht’s boat while conveying the Vice-President.

RECEPTION OF THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.

The Secretary of the Navy of the United States should receive the same honors as prescribed for the Vice-President, substituting the distinguishing flag of the Secretary.

RECEPTION OF OTHER CABINET OFFICERS.

Other Cabinet officers should receive the same honors as prescribed for the Secretary of the Navy, except that there is no distinguishing or special bunting to be used.

RECEPTION OF THE GOVERNOR OF A STATE.

The Governor of a State should be received with the same honors as prescribed for the Vice-President, except that the flag of his State should be substituted, both at the main-topmast-head and in the bows of the yacht’s boats.

RECEPTION OF A FOREIGN SOVEREIGN.

A foreign sovereign or the chief magistrate of any foreign country should be received on board with the same honors as prescribed for the President of the United States, except that the flag of his country should be substituted.

RECEPTION OF A MEMBER OF A ROYAL FAMILY.

A member of a royal family should receive the same honors as prescribed for their sovereign, except that only one salute be fired, which should take place at the time the honored guest leaves the yacht.

RECEPTION OF NAVAL AND ARMY OFFICERS.

A naval or army officer should be received at the gangway of the yacht by the Captain, and should be piped over the side by the Boatswain, who should stand alongside the gangway and keep his cap lifted while blowing his pipe. Upon leaving, the Captain should escort his guest to the gangway and should observe that the Boatswain is stationed as before to wind his call as the officer goes over the yacht’s side. If the naval or army officer is of the rank of Commodore or Lieutenant-Colonel, or higher, a gun may be fired after the boat containing the guest has shoved off from the yacht’s side. Provided the yacht’s boat is used by the guest, one of the yacht’s deck officers should be sent in charge of same.

RECEPTION OF MEMBERS OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS.

Members of the Diplomatic Corps of the rank of Minister should be given the same honors as prescribed for Cabinet officers, and if below the rank of Minister, they should be given the same honors as prescribed for naval and army officers.

RECEPTION OF OTHER OFFICIALS.

Other high officials not mentioned in the foregoing may have such honors accorded them in visiting the yachts as may be consistent with the rules laid down.

RECEPTION OF FLAG OFFICERS.

Refer to “Salutes in General,” next chapter.

CEREMONY OF PUTTING A YACHT IN COMMISSION.

The ceremony of putting a yacht in commission is exceedingly simple. As a rule, this takes place as soon as the yacht is in proper sailing trim--that is, when the bright woodwork, etc., is scraped and varnished, standing rigging set up, running rigging rove off, decks cleaned, sails bent, etc. The officers and men appear on deck, in uniform, and the club burgee and the Captain’s private signal are “made up” and hoisted to their respective trucks; then the Captain (the Sailing-Master may be authorized to act in the former’s place) addresses the Sailing-Master: “Mr. ----, I declare the yacht ‘----’ in commission.” When this is said, the Sailing-Master orders the burgee and private signal to be “broken out” and the yacht ensign hoisted--this consummates the putting of the yacht in commission.

CEREMONY OF PUTTING THE YACHT OUT OF COMMISSION.

The ceremony of going out of commission consists simply of the following: Before the unbending of sail or the dismantling of the yacht in any way, the crew appear on deck in uniform, and the club burgee, private signal and ensign halliards are manned. The owner addresses the Sailing-Master: “Mr. ----, I declare the yacht ‘----’ out of commission.” Upon this the Sailing-Master orders a gun to be fired and the burgee, private signal and ensign lowered. The dismantling of the yacht may then commence.

COMMODORE’S DUTIES IN REGARD TO THE CEREMONY OF PUTTING THE CLUB IN
COMMISSION, AND OPENING THE CLUBHOUSE FOR THE SEASON.

After the date of the opening day of the Clubhouse has been fixed upon by the Commodore and House Committee (which usually occurs between the 1st and 15th of May, and in some instances later), the Secretary, at the request of the Commodore, or according to the regulations of the club, notifies all members, at least ten days in advance, by mail, that the club will open on this certain day and date, and the time selected is usually 12.00 noon.

After the arrival of the members, the Commodore calls them to order in the Clubhouse, and in his own words tells them of his pleasure in seeing them, and impresses upon each officer, committee, and the members in general the importance of observing the laws and regulations of the club, and expresses his wishes for the success of the club for the coming season. The Commodore then advises that all assemble in front of the Clubhouse around the flagpole, or on the veranda, for the purpose of putting the club in commission. While the Commodore has been addressing the members, the employees of the club have bent all flags to their halliards and loaded the cannon. One man is stationed at each signal halliard and one at the cannon, standing by. The Commodore proceeds a little in advance of members and guests, and at a signal from him (usually a waving of the hand, previously agreed upon) the gun is fired, the signals run up, and at the same time the Commodore announces: “I declare the ---- Yacht Club in commission.” All the yachts in the harbor should have dressed ship in advance, and should salute the club by firing a gun as quickly as possible after the gun of the Clubhouse has been fired.

This concludes the act of putting the club in commission.

COMMODORE’S DUTIES DURING THE PERIOD THAT THE YACHT CLUB IS IN
COMMISSION.

While the club is in commission the Commodore should deem it incumbent upon him to be watchful concerning the general management of the club; to observe that the various officers are alive to their duties; that the rules and regulations are enforced and obeyed, and that harmony prevails.

The Commodore should preside at all general meetings of the club at the Clubhouse; but in the event of his anticipated absence he should delegate the Vice-Commodore to preside, who, in turn, will notify the Rear-Commodore should he find himself unable to attend. In the absence of the three Commodores, the Fleet Captain will preside, and in case of the latter’s absence the Senior Captain present will take the chair, call the meeting to order and transact the business of same.

In all cases of dispute in club matters, the Commodore and Board of Trustees should be the arbitrators.

Before the season arrives for the commissioning of the club, the Commodore should name his Fleet Captain, Fleet Surgeon and Chaplain, etc.--in fact, the sooner he names the same after his election as Commodore the better.

In the selection of his Fleet Captain the Commodore should be careful to appoint a gentleman of experience in yachting, as such a one will prove invaluable to the chief Flag Officer, taking a great amount of responsibility and care and detail away from the latter.

In case the Fleet Captain has no yacht of his own, the Commodore’s yacht should be open to him on all possible occasions, as a matter of courtesy, and on a cruise of the club, whether the Fleet Captain possesses a yacht or not, his place is on the flagship, in constant official attendance upon the Commodore, and in supervision of the fleet from the flagship’s bridge or quarter-deck.

The Fleet Captain should, under the authority of the Commodore, direct all the movements of the fleet when on the annual, or any special cruise, and the crew of the flagship should be notified by the Commodore to execute the orders of the Fleet Captain upon such occasions.

Should the Commodore decide to be absent from the club station for several days, he should notify the Vice-Commodore, so that during such absence the latter might assume the duties of Commodore should some special occurrence be experienced.

THE COMMODORE’S DUTIES WHEN THE CLUB IS GOING OUT OF COMMISSION.

When the date of going out of commission is fixed, all the members, at the request of the Commodore, are notified, through the Secretary, by mail, to attend this special meeting, in order to put the club out of commission. In some instances the Secretary, Treasurer and various committees submit their reports at this meeting, other times, again, the reports are not submitted until some time later in the autumn or winter. After all the business of this stated meeting has been transacted, the Commodore thanks each and all for the great aid he has received from them all, also mentioning about the success of the club for the past season. He then proposes that they proceed to put the club out of commission. The signal halliards and cannon have been manned, and at a given signal from the Commodore the gun is fired, flags are hauled down, and the Commodore at the same time says: “I now declare the ---- Yacht Club out of commission.” If there are yachts at anchor off the Clubhouse they should salute the club by firing their guns.

NOTE.--It is customary on the occasion of the yacht club going out of commission to have a banquet for members and guests.

HONORS TO THE CAPTAIN WHEN EMBARKING AND DISEMBARKING.

When the Captain 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 “absent flag” halliards, and the Boatswain at the gangway, to blow a pipe as the Captain comes over the side, and, as the gig comes alongside the gangway, the Sailing-Master will face the side, and as the Captain steps over the rail, the Sailing-Master and Boatswain will salute by touching the cap visor, and the absent flag will be hauled down. The gig will remain alongside for orders. The Sailing-Master, after ascertaining the Captain’s wishes in regard to the gig, will either order it hoisted or hauled out to the boom. When intending to leave the ship, the Captain should send word to that effect to the Sailing-Master (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 Captain. The Sailing-Master and Boatswain will then take their stations at the gangway, having a hand stationed at the absent flag halliards; and as the Captain passes them to enter the boat, the Boatswain will wind his call and touch his cap, and the Captain shall receive and return the Sailing-Master’s salute. The absent flag will be broken out as the boat shoves off. On entering or leaving the gig the Captain should be saluted by the Coxswain only.

DUTIES OF THE FLEET CAPTAIN.

The Fleet Captain is appointed by the Commodore as his executive officer, and retains his position at the pleasure of the Commodore. His appointment is based upon his practical yachting experience, that he may be enabled to transact all official business in connection with the fleet; to decide questions of etiquette, and to relieve the Commodore of the details of squadron evolution. Orders of the Commodore, or Acting Commodore, should be issued through the Fleet Captain, and endorsed by the latter; but only when the order bears the autograph signature of the Fleet Captain should the word “official” be used. The Fleet Captain’s flag should be carried on the forward staff of any launch or boat that he may be in charge of.

SALUTES IN GENERAL.

GUNS BETWEEN SUNSET AND COLORS.

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

GUNS ON SUNDAY.

Guns should not be fired on Sunday, either in the way of a salute or when getting underway or when coming to anchor.

COLORS AND SUNSET GUN TO BE FIRED BY SENIOR OFFICER’S YACHT.

When in company with one or more yachts of the same club, the gun fired to make colors or sunset should be that of the yacht of the senior officer of such club present, whether he is on board his vessel or not.

YACHTS TO SALUTE NAVAL VESSELS.

All yachts should salute naval vessels of their own or any other friendly country, by dipping the ensign. It is customary for yachts to salute a naval vessel by dipping the ensign once.

DIPPING THE ENSIGN.

In no case is the ensign to be dipped more than once in one salute.

YACHTS PASSING TO SALUTE.

Yachts passing should salute each other by dipping the ensign once--the junior saluting first.

YACHTS MEETING AT SEA TO SALUTE.

In meeting at sea yachts should salute each other, and this salute should consist of simply dipping the ensign once.

STEAM WHISTLES NOT TO BE USED IN SALUTING.

Steam whistles and sirens should not be employed in making or exchanging salutes between steam yachts or launches.

TO SALUTE UPON ENTERING HARBOR.

Upon entering harbor, Captains should salute the commanding officer of the anchorage by firing one gun or by dipping the ensign once at the time the anchor is dropped.

SALUTE TO A YACHT ENTERING HARBOR.

The salute to be made to a yacht entering port and entitled to a salute consists of dipping the ensign once, or the firing of a gun when the arriving yacht drops her anchor.

SPECIAL SALUTE TO COMMODORE ENTERING HARBOR.

On the occasion of the Commodore entering harbor to assume personal command of his squadron, he should be saluted on coming to anchor (and not before) by each yacht of the squadron. This salute should consist of the firing of one gun from each yacht, or by the dipping once of the ensign. This salute should be acknowledged by the firing of one gun by the flagship.

ORDINARY SALUTE TO COMMODORE ENTERING HARBOR.

On ordinary occasions, when the Commodore’s yacht enters harbor his flag should only be saluted with one gun from the yacht of the senior officer of such club present, or by the dipping of the ensign once from such senior’s yacht, and this salute should be acknowledged in kind by the Commodore.

JUNIOR OFFICER’S YACHT ENTERING HARBOR.

When a junior flag officer’s yacht enters harbor, his flag should be saluted when his yacht comes to anchor by one gun, or by the single dipping of the ensign, from the yacht of the senior officer present, provided the latter is inferior in rank to the arriving flag officer; otherwise the arriving officer will salute the flag of the officer in command of the anchorage with one gun or by the single dipping of the ensign when his yacht drops anchor.

SENIOR OFFICER LEAVING HARBOR.

A senior officer leaving harbor should indicate that he has transferred his command to the officer next below him in rank, by firing a gun or by dipping his ensign once upon getting under way.

FLAG OFFICER MAKING OFFICIAL VISIT.

When a flag officer makes an official visit between colors and sunset, his flag should be run up to the fore-topmast-head of the yacht visited and broken out as soon as he boards the same. Upon leaving, one gun should be fired and his flag hauled down after he has entered the boat alongside and it has been shoved off from the yacht.

OFFICIAL SALUTE TO ANOTHER CLUB.

An official salute to another club should be made by hoisting the burgee of such club to the fore-topmast-head and firing one gun. After the salute has been returned, or a reasonable time for the return of such allowed, the burgee should be hauled down and the yacht’s own burgee hoisted. In the absence of the burgee of the club that is being saluted the yacht’s own burgee may be half-masted while the salute is given.

POSTPONED SALUTES.

Salutes postponed on account of Sunday, or owing to the arrival of a yacht after sunset, should be made immediately after colors on the following morning.

JUDGES’ YACHT NOT TO BE SALUTED.

During a race a yacht acting as Judge’s boat should not be saluted.

SALUTES BETWEEN SQUADRONS OF DIFFERENT CLUBS.

When squadrons of different clubs meet, whether in harbor or at sea, salutes should be exchanged only by the commanding officers of such squadrons.

SALUTES BETWEEN SINGLE YACHT AND SQUADRON.

Salutes from single yachts to a squadron should be answered only by the commanding officer of the squadron.

WHEN FIRING GUNS AND MAKING SIGNALS ARE PROHIBITED.

Firing guns and making signals when under way with a squadron should be carefully avoided, except in the line of duty. That is, no private or personal signalling should go on between yachts, as the same might easily be considered as levity and as lacking in respect to the commanding officer of the squadron.

BOAT SALUTES.

Salutes to be made between boats will be found under the head of “Boat Service.”

SALUTE TO THE QUARTER-DECK.

Upon boarding or leaving a yacht, the quarter-deck should be saluted by touching the cap.

BOAT SERVICE.

PARTICULARS CONCERNING BOATS.

Boats used on board yachts are known as gigs, cutters, life-boats, and dingeys.

Boats are built in three different ways, namely: The _carval-built_, the planks fore and aft, the edges meeting but not overlapping. The _clinker-built_, the planks fore and aft, the edges overlapping. The _diagonal-built_, the planking running diagonally, the inside planks running in a contrary direction to the outside planks, their edges meeting.

Boats are called _single_ or _double-banked_, according as they have one or two rowers to a thwart.

_Thwarts_ are the seats on which the crew sit; the space abaft the after thwart is called the _stern-sheets_.

The spaces for the oars in the wash streak of boats are called _rowlocks_.

Oars are made of ash or spruce; that part of the oar which is dipped in the water is called the _blade_; the round part which is inboard, the _loom_; the extremity of the loom, which is grasped by the rower’s hand, the _handle_.

Oars are called _double-banked_ when two men pull one oar.

_Feathering_ is known as turning the blades nearly flat to the water after the stroke, with the upper edge turned forward.

_Boat-falls_ are purchases made with two blocks and a length of rope, used for hoisting a boat to the davits.

The _painter_ is a length of line made fast into a ring-bolt in the stem of boats, used for making the boat fast, to tow by, etc.

The _gunwale_ of a boat is the upper rail.

The _yoke_ is a piece of wood or metal fitted across the head of a boat’s rudder.

_Yoke lines_ are pieces of rope made fast to the yoke by which the rudder is turned and the boat steered.

_Boat-davits_ are pieces of timber or iron projecting over a vessel’s sides or stern to hoist boats up to.

_A plug_ is the wooden stopper fitted into a hole in the bottom of the boat to let in or keep out water.

_Flooring_ is the bottom boards of the boat.

_Boat booms_ are the booms on either side of a vessel to which the boats ride when the ship is at anchor.

_A boat-breaker_ is a small keg used for carrying fresh water.

_A boat-recall_ is an understood signal made from the ship to summon a boat to return.

_Gripes_ are long strips of canvas leading from the davit ends, and passing under a boat to secure it. They are set taut by lanyards.

_Boat-fenders_ are small shapes of canvas or leather stuffed and hung over a boat’s side to prevent it from being chafed and from chafing the sides of the yacht.

_Back Board_ is a board in the stern of the boat on which is often printed the name of the yacht to which she belongs.

BOAT CEREMONY AND DISCIPLINE.

The lading of the gig should be arranged so that juniors in rank and in official importance should enter the boat first, and the one highest in rank and importance should immediately precede the Captain, who should always be the last to enter the boat and the first to disembark. The disembarking should take place in the reverse order to the embarking, so that the junior in rank should be the last to leave the boat.

BOAT ORDERS.

In the following the gig is supposed to be manned, and lying alongside the gangway.

After the gig is reported ready to the Captain, he will direct his guests to enter the boat, and after they are all seated he will receive and return the Sailing-Master’s salute, then take his place in the gig--care having been observed to leave the stern-sheets clear for him, and the yoke lines ready to hand.

The Captain will observe that his private signal is stepped in the bows, that the seating of his guests does not interfere with the stroke oarsman, and will then call:

“SHOVE OFF FORWARD!”

When this order is given, the man in the bows shoves the boat’s head away from the ship’s side, stows his boat-hook, and lays his hands on his oar.

The next order is: “UP OARS!” “OARS APEAK” is sometimes wrongfully employed.

The crew will simultaneously seize and raise their proper oars briskly to the vertical (keeping their eyes on the stroke oarsman), and hold them thus directly in front of them, the blades being fore-and-aft, the ends of the oars held clear of the boat’s bottom; the oarsmen sitting on the port side of the boat holding the oars with right hands down, and those sitting on the starboard side holding the oars with left hands down. The oarsmen sitting on the port side of the boat pull the starboard oars, and the oarsmen sitting on the starboard side of the boat pull the port oars.

The next command is: “LET FALL!”

The oars must be dropped into the rowlocks together, care being taken to prevent the blades from striking the water--blades flat to the water and leveled.

Next give the order: “GIVE WAY!”

The boat is now underway, the crew taking the style of pulling from the stroke oarsman.

In running alongside of a vessel or float-stage, give the boat sufficient impetus to “reach”; then call, while the blades are in the water: “WAY ENOUGH!”

The men will finish the stroke and then raise their oars simultaneously to a vertical position, and lay them with as little noise as possible amidships in the boat in a line with the keel, the blades pointing forward. The stroke and bow oarsmen seize their boat-hooks, and as the boat runs alongside they stop its way and hold it.

With four or more oared boat, just before the order “WAY ENOUGH” is given, the order “IN BOW” should be given to allow the man forward to get in his oar and take his boat-hook in hand ready to fend off when the boat comes alongside the landing.

BOAT SALUTES.

Flag officers should display their pennants in the bows of boats when underway, Captains their private signals, and members the club burgee.

Salutes shall only be made to boats displaying flags as above.

Junior flag officers, captains, and members in command of boats should lie on their oars to the Commodore’s boat in passing, and at the same time should raise their caps in salute.

Sailing-Masters, under-officers and coxswains should order their crews to lie on their oars to boats passing that display flag officers’ pennants, and the one in charge of the boat should raise his cap in salute.

Seniors in rank acknowledge salutes by simply raising the cap, and do not cease rowing.

Captains and junior flag officers passing should salute each other by raising the cap--the junior saluting first--but the crews will not lie on their oars.

The salutes from all boats under sail, being towed, or laden, should be made by the one in charge raising his cap, and the way of such boats should not be checked.

When approaching your own or another yacht for the purpose of going alongside, on being hailed, answer by giving the name of your yacht, if a Captain, but if a Commodore, the reply should be “Flag.”

If it is desired to cease rowing temporarily, give the order: “OARS!” The crew will then lift the blades of their oars from the water, holding the blades horizontally, and at right angles to the keel.

When it is desired to continue rowing, simply call: “GIVE WAY!”

When rowing, if passing so close to another boat that a collision of oars seems probable, call: “TRAIL!” The men will keep their oars in the rowlocks, but permit the blades to trail aft and alongside. When the danger is past, call: “OARS!”--this brings the crew to attention, with the oars in position to receive the order: “GIVE WAY!”

Never allow a boat’s crew to splash the water with the blades of their oars when the order to “LET FALL” is executed.

Talking among a boat’s crew, or turning the head to observe any object, while the boat is underway, should never be allowed.

The starboard after oar is called the “stroke oar,” and gives the stroke, the remainder of the crew taking the style from it; consequently it should be manned by the best man in the boat--the coxswain of a gig pulls the stroke oar when the Captain is in the boat.

In rowing, the blade of each oar should be lifted as high as the gunwale after it leaves the water, then feathered by dropping the wrist. A short pause should then be made, and the oar next thrown well forward, and dropped edgewise into the water, taking care to avoid splashing. Now, rip the oar through the water with a hearty swing, and then repeat as above.

If it is required to turn a boat suddenly, or short round to starboard, then give the order to “GIVE WAY PORT; BACK STARBOARD.” If it is required to turn short to port, then “GIVE WAY STARBOARD; BACK PORT.” When the boat is pointed aright, then, “GIVE WAY TOGETHER!”

In backing, as in pulling, the crew should always keep stroke with the after oar of their respective sides.

Never send a boat away from a ship at night without being provided with a lantern, as many a boat has been run down through inability to make its presence known.

Remember, in running alongside a ship or landing, that the deeper the boat is freighted, the longer she will carry her way in the water.

In leaving a ship in foggy weather, provide the boat with a fog-horn and compass, and judge as nearly as possible the bearing of the landing you wish to make. Take the opposite of this bearing to return to the ship, making in both cases due allowance for tide.

The boats should always be kept in perfect condition, and, unless the crew are required to shift themselves, not more than three minutes should elapse between the time the boat is called away and its arrival at the gangway, manned and ready.

Never send away a gig’s crew unless they are dressed alike, and look “spick and span”; hat ribbons should always be worn by a boat’s crew, unless racing hoods are used.

Nothing shows the good discipline of a yacht more than efficient boat service; and it is worthy of all pains and consideration.

The ranking officer should always be the last to enter a boat, and the first to leave it. He will, also, command the boat.

To ride out a gale of wind in an open boat, lash the oars and bottom boards together and weight them if possible. Span them with the boat’s painter and pitch them overboard. This will keep the boat head to the sea and prevent it from drifting fast.

Assist the boat to keep head to the sea by the use of a steering oar.

When crossing the bar of a river, if the water is much troubled, a steering oar should be used and the rudder unshipped.