Chapter XIV: Section X: Signalling for Scouts

A. GENERAL SERVICE CODE

The General Service Code, given herewith, also called the Continental Code and the International Morse Code, is used by the Army and Navy, and for cabling and wireless telegraphy. It is used for visual signalling by hand, flag, Ardois lights, torches, heliograph, lanterns, etc., and for sound signalling with buzzer, whistle, etc.

The American Morse Code is used for commercial purposes only, and differs from the International Morse in a few particulars. A Scout need not concern herself with it because it would only be used by the Scout who eventually becomes a telegrapher, and for this purpose the Western Union Company offers the necessary training.

Wig Wag Signalling

GENERAL SERVICE CODE

The flag used for this signalling is square with a smaller square of another color in the center. It may be either white with the smaller square red, or red with the smaller square white. A good size for Scout use is 24 inches square with a center 9 inches square, on a pole 42 inches long and one-half inch in diameter.

There are but three motions with the flag and all start from, and are completed by, return to position, which means the flag held perpendicularly and at rest directly in front of the signaller.

Signaller should stand erect, well balanced on the arches of the feet. The butt of the flag stick is held lightly in the right hand; the left hand steadies and directs the flag at a distance from six to twelve inches above the right on the stick. The length of the stick will determine the position of the left hand; the longer the stick the further apart must the hands be placed in order to obtain the best balance.

DOT: To make the dot, swing the flag down to the right until the stick reaches the horizontal and bring it back to Position.

DASH: To make the dash, swing the flag to the left until it reaches the horizontal and bring it back to Position.

INTERVAL: The third position is made by swinging the flag down directly in front and returning to Position.

In order to keep the flag from "fouling" when making these motions, make a sort of figure 8 with the point of the stick. A slight turn of the wrist accomplishes this result and becomes very easy after a little practice. Beginners should master the three motions of the flag, exaggerating the figure 8 motion before they attempt to make letters. _It is also best to learn the code before attempting to wig wag it, so that the mind will be free to concentrate upon the technique or correct managing of the flag._

THE GENERAL SERVICE CODE

(The International Morse or Continental)

Uses: Commercial wireless, submarine cables, Army and Navy. Methods: flags by day, torches, lanterns, flashlight, searchlight, by night; whistle, drum, bugle, tapping.

A .-
B -...
C -.-.
D -..
E .
F ..-.
G --.
H ....
I ..
J .---
K -.-
L .-..
M --
N -.
O ---
P .--.
Q --.-
R .-.
S ...
T -
U ..-
V ...-
W .--
X -..-
Y -.--
Z --..
1 .----
2 ..---
3 ...--
4 ....-
5 .....
6 -....
7 --...
8 ---..
9 ----.
0 -----

Period .. .. ..
Comma .-.-.-
Quotation Marks .-..-.
Colon ---...
Semicolon -.-.-.
Interrogation ..--..

A convenient form for learning the letters is as follows:

DOTS

E .
I ..
S ...
H ....

DASHES

T -
M --
O ---

OPPOSITES

A .- -. N
B -... ...- V
D -.. ..- U
G --. .-- W
F ..-. .-.. L
Y -.--- ---.- Q

SANDWICH LETTERS

K -.- P .--.
X -..- R .-.

LETTERS WITH NO OPPOSITES

Z --..
C -.-.
J .---

Make no pause between dots and dashes in making a letter, but make a continuous swing from right to left, or left to right. A pause at Position indicates the completion of a letter.

One Interval (Front) indicates the completion of a word.

Two Intervals indicate the completion of a sentence.

Three Intervals indicate the completion of a message.

_Do not try for speed._ In all signalling, accuracy is the important thing, for unless the letters are accurately made they cannot be easily read, and the message will have to be repeated. Fall into a regular easy rhythm in sending. Speed comes with practice.

Signalling with a Flash Light: Use a short flash for the dot and a long steady flash for the dash. Pause the length of three dots between letters, and the length of five dots between words. A still longer pause marks the end of a sentence.

Signalling by Whistle: Use a short blast for the dot, and a long steady blast for the dash. Indicate the end of a letter, a word, and a sentence by the same pauses as explained in Flash Light Signalling.

Signalling with a Lantern: The motions used in signalling with a lantern are somewhat like those of the wig wag flag. For Position hold the lantern directly in front of the body; for the dot swing it to the right and back to Position; for the dash swing it to the left and back to Position; and for Interval move it down and up in a vertical line directly in front. A stationary light should be placed on the ground before the feet as a point of reference for the various motions.

B. SEMAPHORE SIGNALLING

SEMAPHORE CODE

The semaphore is a machine with two arms which may be moved into various positions to make letters. The semaphore code shown in the accompanying picture may also be employed by a person using two flags. It is the quickest method of flag signalling but is available for comparatively short distances, seldom over a mile, unless extra large flags are employed or there is some extraordinary condition of background or atmosphere.

The semaphore code is not adapted to as many uses as is the general service code, but for quick signalling over comparatively short distances, it is preferable in every way.

The regulation flag is 18 inches square, either divided diagonally into two triangles of white and red, or square of white with small square of red in the center, or red with small square of white. These flags are fastened on poles 24 inches long and 1/2 inch in diameter.

The flags must be carefully held so that the sticks make, as it were, a continuation of the arm bone; a bent wrist will cause the flags to make an entirely different angle, and consequently a different letter from the one intended.

Swing the arms smoothly and without hesitation from one letter to another. Hold each letter long enough to make it clear to the person receiving it. Every word begins and ends with "intervals," the hands crossed downward in front of the body, arms nearly straight, right hand always over the left.

Indicate the end of a sentence by one "chip-chop" made by holding both flags to the right, horizontally, and moving them up and down several times; not altogether, but one flag going down as the other comes up, making the "chopping" motion.

Note: The extended arm should always make a straight line with the flag staff.

_From the very beginning practice reading as well as sending._ It is harder to do and requires more practice. Instructors should always face the class in giving a lesson; in this way the pupil learns to read at the same time as she is learning to make the letters. This principle applies to all visual signalling.

Whistle Signals

1. One blast, "Attention"; "Assemble" (if scattered).

2. Two short blasts, "All right."

3. Four short blasts, calls "Patrol Leaders come here."

4. Alternate long and short blasts, "Mess Call."

Hand Signals

These signals are advisable when handling a troop in a street where the voice cannot be readily heard, or in marching the troop into some church, theatre, or other building where a spoken command is undesirable.

_Forward_, _March_:

Carry the hand to the shoulder; straighten and hold the arm horizontally, thrusting it in the direction of the march. (This signal is also used to execute quick time from double time.)

_Halt_:

Carry the hand to the shoulder; thrust hand upward and hold the arm vertically.

_Double Time_, _March_:

Carry the hand to the shoulder, rapidly thrust the hand upward the full extent of the arm several times.

_Squads Right_, _March_:

Raise the arm laterally until horizontal; carry it to a vertical position above the head and swing it several times between the vertical and horizontal positions.

_Squads Left_, _March_:

Raise the arm laterally until horizontal; carry it downward to the side and swing it several times between the downward and horizontal positions.

_Change Direction or Column Right (Left) March_:

The hand on the side toward which the change of direction is to be made is carried across the body to the opposite shoulder, forearm horizontal; then swing in a horizontal plane, arm extended, pointing in the new direction.

_Assemble_:

Raise the arm vertically to its full extent and describe horizontal circles.

THE GIRL SCOUT SALUTE.

=How To Salute.= To salute, a Girl Scout raises
the right hand to her hat in line with the right
temple, the first three fingers extended, and the
little finger held down by the thumb. This salute
is the sign of the Girl Scouts. The three extended
fingers, like the Trefoil, represent the three
parts of the Promise.

=When To Salute.= When Scouts meet for the first
time during the day, whether comrades or
strangers, of whatever rank, they should salute
each other.

If in uniform a Girl Scout stands at attention and
salutes the flag when it is hoisted or lowered,
and as it passes her in parade. If not in uniform,
she stands at attention, but does not salute.

When in uniform and in ranks in public
demonstration, a Girl Scout stands at attention
and salutes when the Star Spangled Banner is
played. But she does not salute when she herself
is singing.

In ordinary gatherings when the anthem is played,
a Girl Scout stands at attention but does not
salute.

When Girl Scouts are on parade or marching in
troop or patrol formation, only the officers
salute, at the same time giving the command, "Eyes
right," or "Eyes left," as the case may be, at
which every Scout turns her eyes sharply in the
direction ordered till the officer commands, "Eyes
front."

When repeating the Promise, a Girl Scout stands at
salute.

When in uniform a Girl Scout should salute her
officers when speaking to them, or when being
spoken to by them.

If in uniform, a Girl Scout should return the
salute of a Boy Scout. She does not salute the
police or military officers unless they salute her
first.

Girl Scouts may salute each other whether they are
in uniform or not.

=Pledge of Allegiance.= "I pledge allegiance to
the flag and to the republic for which it stands;
one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice
for all."

Girl Scouts should stand at attention, bring the
hand to the full salute at the first word of the
pledge, and at the word "flag" extend the arm,
fingers still in the salute position, palm up,
pointing to the flag.

=Parades.= Girl Scouts may take part in patriotic
parades with the permission of the Local Council
or Commissioner or of the Captain where there is
no Local Council.