Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 245, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 October 1916 — SIGNALS USED ON THE SEA [ARTICLE]

SIGNALS USED ON THE SEA

Vessels Have Their Own Methods of Imparting Information Which Is of importance. There are various ways in which ships signal at sea. The most general method in daylight Is by code flags and pennants, these being arranged according to an international system of signals. But sometimes, owing to weather conditions or distance, it is not easy to distinguish the colors, patterns or shapes of the flags, and then other methods have to be adopted. Chief among these is a system of exhibiting cones, balls and drums, various orders and positions representing different things according to the recognized international code. Here are some examples: No. 1 means, Show your ensign; No. 2, Is war declared? No. 3, War Is declared; No. 4, Beware of torpedoes, or Channel is mined; No. 5, Enemy is in sight; No. 6, Keep a lookout; enemy’s ships roported about, disguised as merchantmen.