" rules of the road " or emergency signals.
Question. How may sound signals be made?
Answer. On the whistle, fog horn, or similar sound-producing
apparatus. The Morse alphabet and special signs are used.
Question. In using the steam whistle, what is necessary
before starting?
Answer. To see that condensed steam is blown clear.
Question. In sound signals, what represents a "dot" and
what a " dash"?
Answer. A short blast of the whistle or single stroke of a
bell represents a " dot," a longer blast or two short strokes in
quick succession represents a " dash." Care must be taken in
the spacing or interval between blasts or strokes.
Question. Should two or more ships within hearing of each
other attempt sound signaling at the same time?
Answer. Not if by so doing they cause interference with one
another.
Question. What procedure is prescribed for signals by sound?
Answer. When signaling to one ship direct the following pro-
cedure is prescribed :
TRANSMITTING SHIP.
(1) Makes call of ship or unit
for whom signal is intended sev-
eral times, or until repeated.
(2) Makes own call several times,
or until repeated correctly.
(3) Makes signal sign ( . . ).
(4) Makes complete signal, as a
group of letters, numerals, or signs.
(5) Makes "final" sign
(0) Waits an appreciable Jnter-
val for the R or for the IML
(7) When the R^ has been re-
ceived makes IX IX several times
as a preliminary signal of execu-
tion, then a 10-second blast, the
termination of which is the final
signal of execution.
RECEIVING SHIP.
(1) Repeats call as made by
transmitting ship.
(2) Repeats call as made by
transmitting ship (transmitting
ship's call).
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6) If signal is understood makes
R (received). If signaj_is not un-
derstood makes repeat (iMI ) several
times until signal is repeated.
232 INSTRUCTIONS FOR COAST GUARD STATIONS.
Question. What procedure is prescribed for the transmission
of dispatches by sound?
Answer. The procedure prescribed for the transmission of
dispatches by flashing light shall be followed.
Question. Should the transmitting ship fail to receive the
acknowledging blast after a reasonable wait, what should it do?
Answer. It shall repeat the word, group, or sign last made
until acknowledged. This procedure insures the receipt of a
dispatch part by part and reduces r ot only the probability of a
complete repetition, but saves the time required for making the
requests for repetitions.
Question. After the transmission of the dispatch, may the
receiving unit request a repetition?
Answer. It may request a repetition of any part or all of
the dispatch by using the " repeat " sign.
SHAPE SIGNALS.
Question. For what are shape signals intended and when may
their use become important?
Answer. Shape signals are primarily long-distance signals.
They may become of importance when it is inadvisable to use
radio, and when a ship is not fitted with or can not use search-
lights, and when atmospheric or light conditions make it im-
possible to distinguish the colors of flags.
Question. Where would you find detailed instructions for the
use of shape signals?
Answer. Detailed instructions for the use of shape signals
and a shape-signal code sufficient for general use are pre-
scribed in the International Signal Book and in the Allied
Fleet Signal Book.
INTERNATIONAL CODE OF SIGNALS.
(The International Code Signal Book shall be studied and con-
sulted for complete detailed instructions as to the use of the
International Code.)
Question. What is the International Code of Signals?
Answer. A system of signals which has been adopted by all'
nations in order that all vessels may "have a method of signaling
to each other, each particular hoist having the same meaning in
all languages.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COAST GUARD STATIONS. 233
Question. Of how many flags does the code consist?
Answer. Of 26 flags one for each letter of the alphabet and
iln- code flag/which is also used as an answering pennant.
Question. Of what shapes are these flags?
Answer. There are 2 swallowtails, A and B; 5 pennants, C,
D, E, F, and G-; and 19 square flags, representing the remain-
ing letters of the alphabet. The code flag is also a pennant.
Question. Have these flags been given other names than the
letters they represent; and if so, for what purpose?
Answer. In the Navy and the Coast Guard each flag has been
given a distinctive name, in order to avoid confusing the names
of the various letters in reporting signals and in calling out
signals. They must also be used in repeating such signals over
the telephone.
Question. What are these distinctive names?
Answer. They are as follows :
A Affirmative J Jig S Sail
B Boy K King T Tare
C Cast L Love U Unit
D Dog M Mike V Vice
E Easy N Negative W Watch
F Fox Optional X X-ray
G George P Preparatory Y Yoke
H Have a Quack Z Zed
I Interrogatory R Roger
Question. Into how many parts is the code book divided,
and what does each contain?
Answer. Into three parts. The first part contains urgent and
important signals, compass signals, the numeral table, and all
the tables of moneys, weights, measures, barometric heights,
etc., together with a geographical list and a table of phrases
formed with auxiliary verbs. The second part is an index,
which consists of a general vocabulary and a geographical
index, and is arranged alphabetically. The third part gives
lists of the United States storm warnings, Coast Guard, time
signal, radio, and radio time-signal stations, and of Lloyd's
signal stations of the world. It also contains semaphore and
distant signal codes, the United States Army and Navy dot-and-
dash and semaphore codes, and the Morse wigwag code.
Question. Explain the method of signaling by the Interna-
tional Code.
234 INSTRUCTIONS FOR COAST GUARD STATIONS.
Answer. Suppose a ship wishes to signal a station: She
would first hoist her ensign with the code flag under it. The
station would reply by hoisting the code flag at the " dip." r he
ship would then hoist the first signal of her message, first haul-
ing down her code flag if required in making the signal. When
this signal is looked up in the code book, understood, and re-
corded, the station will then hoist the answering pennant (code
flag) " close up " and keep it there until the ship hauls her
signal down, when the station will lower the answering pen-
nant to the " dip " again and await the next signal.
Question. What do you understand by the "dip"?
Answer. A flag is at the " dip " when it is hoisted about two-
thirds of the way up ; that is, some little distance below where
it would be if hoisted " close up."
Question. W'here should the answering pennant be hoisted?
Answer. Where it can best be seen.
Question. Suppose the ship makes a signal which is not un-
derstood ; what would you do?
Answer. I would keep the answering pennant at the " dip "
and would hoist the signal OWL or WCX or such other signal
as would meet the case and keep it flying until the ship has
rectified or repeated her signal and I understand it. I would
then haul down the signal OWL or WCX or other signal used
and would hoist the answering pennant " close up."
Question. What do the signals OWL and WCX mean?
Answer. OWL means " I can not make out the flags ; hoist
the signal in a better position " ; WCX means " Signal not un-
derstood, though the flags are distinguished."
Question. How would you call up a ship with which you
wished to communicate?
Answer. By hoisting her signal number, if known. If the
ship's signal number is not known I would make use of one of
the signals between DI and DQ, on page 37 of the code book.
Question. How many flags are there in each hoist of the
International Code?
Answer. From one to four.
Question. How many and what are the one-letter signals?
Answer. There are seven, as follows : B, C, D, L, P, Q, S.
Question. W T hat meaning has each of the one-letter signals?
Answer. B I am taking in (or discharging) explosives.
C Yes, or affirmative.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COAST GUARD STATIONS. 235
D No, or negative.
L I have (or have had) some dangerous infectious disease
on board.
P I am about to sail ; all persons report on board.
Q. I have a clean bill of health, but am liable to quarantine.
S I want a pilot.
Question. Is the code flag ever hoisted over these one-letter
signals ; and if so, does it change the meaning?
Answer. It may be hoisted over any of them, but does not
change its meaning.
Question. Is the code flag ever hoisted under a one-letter
signal?
Answer. No.
Question. Is the code flag ever hoisted over any other one-
letter signal of the alphabet than the seven named above?
Answer. It may be hoisted over any other letter of the al-
phabet, and the signal thus made has the meaning given it on
page 7 of the code book.
Question. What do you understand by the term " code sig-
nal"?
Answer. A code signal is any signal found in the code book.
Question. Can any other than code signals be sent by the
International Code?
Answer. Yes ; numbers or words not in the code book may be
sent by special signals which are riot code signals.
Question. How are these special signals known?
Answer. They are preceded and followed by signals known as
alphabetical signals or numeral signals, as the case may be.
Question. Name the alphabetical signals and give their mean-
ings.
Answer. Code flag over E Alphabetical signal No. 1, indicat-
ing that the flags hoisted after it until alphabetical signal No.
3 or numeral signal No. 1 is made do not represent the signals
in the code, but are to be understood as having their alphabet-
ical meanings and express individual letters of the alphabet
which are to form words.
Code flag over F Alphabetical signal No. 2, indicating the
end of a word made by alphabetical signals or a dot between
initials.
Code flag over G Alphabetical signal No. 3, indicating that
the alphabetical signals are ended; the signals which follow
will be found in the code in the usual manner.
236 INSTRUCTIONS FOR COAST GUARD STATIONS.
Question. Name the numeral signals and give their meanings.
Answer. Code flag over M Numeral signal No. 1, indicating
that the flags hoisted after it until numeral signal No. 3 or al-
phabetical signal No. 1 is made do not represent the signals in
the code, but express figures as indicated in the table on page
32, and have the special numerical values there given them.
Code flag over N Numeral signal No. 2, indicating the deci-
mal point.
Code flag over Numeral signa* No. 3, indicating that the
numeral signals are ended ; the signals which follow will be
found in the code in the usual manner.
Question. Where will a signal be found in the code book?
Answer. If it be a three-letter signal between CXA and ZNT,
it will be found in the general vocabulary, Part II of the code
book; any other code signal will be found in the proper table
in Part I of the code book.
Question. How would you proceed to find signals representing
the message to be sent?
Answer. I would look for the message under its most impor-
tant word, and if found there I would take the letters to the
left and abreast the message as the signal. For instance, in
the message " I shall stand about to see if I can pick up any-
thing from the wreck," the most important word is " wreck,"
and under it I would find the message, and abreast the latter
the letters ZIT, which would be the proper signal.
Question. Suppose the word you selected as the most impor-
tant did not give you the information desired, what would you
do?
Answer. I would look for it under some other word that I
considered important, such as "pick" or "stand." It would
be useless to look for it under such words as " if." " to,"
" about," " from," etc.
Question. Suppose the message is "Vessel seriously damaged;
want immediate assistance " and can not be found as a whole
under any of its words, what would you do?
Answer. I would look up the signal for each separate word
if necessary.
Question. Tell how you would look up the signal for a word.
Answer. I would look through the words at the tops of the
pages in the general vocabulary until I found the word or the
word nearest to it and would then look down that page until
the word was found. Abreast of it to the left would be the
signal.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COAST GUARD STATIONS. 237
Question. What is it necessary to know in order that signals
may be read quickly and correctly?
Answer. It is necessary to know the flags instantly and cor-
rectly ; to know the kind of signal by the hoist; that is, by
the number of flags in it and the upper flag (or the lower flag,
if the code penant) ; and, thirdly, it is necessary to know where
in the code book the meaning of each class of signals may be
found.
Question. What are two-letter signals?
Answer. Urgent and important signals.
Question. What letters are used for these signals?
Answer. From AB to ZY.
Question. Is the code flag ever hoisted over or under two-
letter signals; and if so, does it change their meanings?
Answer. Yes. It may be hoisted either over or under two-
letter signals, and when so hoisted changes their meanings
entirely.
Question. Name the kinds of signals which are made with the
code flag over two-letter signals. 3 .
Answer,. Latitude and longitude, divisions of time and of lati-
tude and longitude ; barometer and thermometer signals.
Question. What kind of signals are made with the code flag
under two-letter signals?
Answer. Numeral table signals.
Question. What are three-letter signals?
Answer. Compass signals, moneys, weights, and measures sig-
nals, decimals and fractions, auxiliary phrases, and general
signals.
Question. What letters represent compass signals?
Answer. Prom ABC to AQC are compass signals in degrees;
and from ACID to AST are compass signals in points and half
points.
Question. W r hat letters are used for moneys and for weights
and measures signals?
Answer. ASU to BCN.
Question. What letters are used in signaling decimals and
fractions ?
Answer. From BCO to BDZ.
Question. What letters are used in signaling auxiliary
phrases?
Answer. From BEA to CWT.
238 INSTRUCTIONS FOR COAST GUARD STATIONS,
Question. Where are the three-letter general signals found?
Answer. In the general vocabulary in Part II of the code
book.
Question. Between what letters do they occur?
Answer. From CXA to ZNT.
Question. Is the code flag ever hoisted over or under a three-
letter signal?
Answer. No.
Question. What signals are made with four-letter hoists?
Answer. Geographical signals, alphabetical spelling table, and
vessels' numbers.
Question. How are these signals distinguished from one
another?
Answer. By the upper flag of the hoist.
Question. What flag is uppermost in geographical signals?
Answer. Either of the swallowtails, A or B.
Question. What flag is uppermost in alphabetical spelling
table signals?
Answer. The pennant C.
Question. What flag is uppermost in vessels' numbers?
Answer. The pennant G for names of Government vessels;
any square flag for names of merchant vessels.
Question. At the present time what square flags are used for
the upper flag of the hoist for American merchant vessels and
yachts?
Answer. The letters H, J, K, and L.
Question. Where would you look for an American merchant
vessel's number if her name is known?
Answer. I would look for her official number in the latest
" List of Merchant Vessels of the United States," in which the
names of American merchant vessels are arranged alphabeti-
cally under the headings : Sailing, steam, and unrigged vessels.
Question. If an American merchant vessel's number only is
known, \vhere would you look for her name?
Answer. In the latest edition of the " Seagoing Vessels of
the United States," in which the signal letters are arranged
alphabetically under the headings : " Seagoing vessels " and
" Yachts."
Question. Where would you look for the signal letters of
vessels belonging to the Government of the United States?
Answer. In the latest edition of " Seagoing Vessels of the
United States."
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COAST GUARD STATIONS. 239
Question. What vessels of the United States Government have
signal letters assigned them?
Answer. Vessels of the Navy; of the Quartermaster Corps
and of the Engineer Corps of the Army ; of the Coast Guard;
of the Lighthouse Service ; of the Coast and Geodetic Survey ;
of the Bureau of Fisheries ; and of the Bureau of Navigation
of the Department of Commerce.
Question. Since all of these vessels have the pennant G for
the upper flag of the hoist, how can you tell at a glance to
which service a vessel belongs?
Answer. By the second or third flag in the hoist.
Question. What flag have vessels of the Navy for the second
letter of the hoist?
Answer. Either the flags Q, or R.
Question. What flag have vessels of the Army for the second
letter of the hoist?
Answer. They have the letter W.
Question. What flag have all other Government vessels for
the second letter of the hoist?
Answer. They have the letter V.
Question. How can you distinguish a vessel of the Coast
Guard by her signal letters?
Answer. She has for the third letter of the hoist following
GV some letter from B to H, both inclusive.
Question. Where would you look for the radio call letters
of vessels, both Government and merchant, of the United States?
Answ r er. In the publication " Seagoing Vessels of the United
States."
Question. How many geographical lists are in the code book?
Answer. Two. One in Part I ; the other in Part II.
Question. When is each used?
Answer. When reading a geographical signal which has been
made, the list in Part I is used, because the signal letters are
there arranged alphabetically and easily found. When signaling
the name of a place the list in Part II is used, because there
the names of the places are arranged alphabetically.
Question. What kind of letters are used in alphabetical spell-
ing table signals?
Answer. Consonants only are used.
Question. How many letters does any signal in the alpha-
betical spelling table represent?
Answer. Each signal represents either two or three letters,
which are to be used in forming a word.
240 INSTRUCTIONS FOR COAST GUARD STATIONS.
Question. Where would you find the code signal for one
letter?
Answer. In the general vocabulary in Part II of the code
book. It would be a three-letter signal.
Question. How are words or names not found in the general
vocabulary sent by signals?
Answer. They are spelled out.
. Question. In how many ways can words be spelled out by
signals?
Answer. In two ways. They can be spelled out either by the
alphabetical spelling table, which is the old method, or by the
new method, in which the alphabetical signals described on
page 13 of the code book are used.
Question. In how many ways may numbers be sent by the
International Code?
Answer. In two ways. They can be sent either by the nu-
meral table on page 33 or by the alternative method explained
on page 32 of the code book.
Question. Suppose you saw a ship standing into danger, what
signal would you hoist?
Answer. JD.
Question. What next would you do?
Answer. After she has acknowledged that signal or altered
her course in obedience to it, I would hoist one of the signals
on page 39 (Danger and Distress Signals), directing her how
to steer to avoid the danger.
Question. Suppose you set the signal " Steer more to star-
board (or to port)," how long do you keep it flying?
Answer. Until her course is sufficiently altered to clear the
danger, when I would haul the signal down.
Question. If a vessel is so far away that the colors of the
flags of the International Oode can not be distinguished, what
kind of signals would you use?
Answer. Distant signals.
Question. Under what other conditions would distant signals
be used?
Answer. In calms, when the flags hang up and down, or when
the wind is blowing toward or from the observer, or when the
atmosphere is not clear.
Question. How does a ship ordinarily communicate by distant
signals?
Answer. By hoisting certain shapes.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COAST GUARD STATIONS. 241
Question. What shapes are used?
Answer. A cone, point upward.
A ball.
A cone, point downward.
A drum.
Question. What flags may be substituted for these shapes
when weather conditions are favorable?
Answer. A square flag may be substituted for the cone,
point upward.
A pennant, for the cone, point downward.
A pennant, with the fly tied to the halyards, or a wheft, for
the drum. A wheft is any flag tied in the center.
There is no flag substitute for the ball.
Question. Is there a table of urgent and important distant
signals in the code book?
Answer. Yes; the table of "Special Distant Signals," begin-
ning on page 583.
Question. What are the International Signals of Distress to
be used in the daytime?
Answer. A gun or other explosive signal fired at intervals of
about a minute.
The International Code Signal of Distress indicated by NC.
The distant signal, consisting of a square flag, having either
above or below it a ball or anything resembling a ball.
A continuous sounding with any fog-signal apparatus.
The distant signal, consisting of a cone, point upward, having
either above it or below it a ball or anything resembling a ball.
(This is purely a code signal and not one of the signals of
distress given in the rules of the road, the needless exhibition
of which entails penalties upon the master of the vessel dis-
playing it.)
Question. What are the International Signals of Distress to
be used at night?
Answer. A gun or other explosive signal fired at intervals of
about a minute.
Flames on the vessel (as from a burning tar barrel, oil bar-
rel, etc.).
Rockets or shells throwing stars of any color or description,
fired one at a time at short intervals.
A continuous sounding with any fog-signal apparatus.
Question. Would the ensign hoisted union down be considered
a distress signal?
3407921 16
242 INSTRUCTIONS FOR COAST GUARD STATIONS.
Answer. Yes ; and when so displayed it must be investigated,
and so must any unusual or excited waving of the arms, flags,
or other articles not readily and satisfactorily explainable as
other signals, particularly when made from boats under cir-
cumstances in which danger to the persons on board is immi-
nent or probable.
Question. May distress signals be used together?
Answer. Yes ; they may be used either together or separately.
Question. What are the Internal' onal Signals for a pilot to
be used in the daytime?
Answer. The jack, hoisted at the fore.
The International Code pilot signal indicated by PT.
The International Code flag S, with or without the code pen-
nant over it.
The distant signal, consisting of a cone, point upward, having
above it two balls or shapes resembling balls.
Question. What are the International Code signals for a pilot
to be used at night?
Answer. The pyrotechnic light, commonly known as a blue
light, every 15 minutes.
A bright white light, flashed or shown at short or frequent
intervals just above the bulwarks for about a minute at a time.
RESUSCITATION OF THE APPARENTLY DROWNED.
Question. What would you first do in attempting to resus-
citate an apparently drowned person?
Answer. I would arouse the patient.
Question. How would you arouse the patient?
Answer. I would not move the patient unless in danger of
freezing; instantly expose the face to the air, toward the wind,
if there be any; wipe dry the mouth and nostrils; rip the
clothing so as to expose the chest and waist; give two or three
quick, smarting slaps on the chest with the open hand.
Question. What do you mean when you say that you would
not move the patient unless he was in danger of freezing?
Answer. I mean that I would not waste time by moving him,
to a distance or to a place of shelter unless he was in danger
of freezing. I would move him a few feet if necessary to get
him out of the water or to place him so that I could work on
him to better advantage,
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COAST GUARD STATIONS. 243
Question. Why do you take time trying to arouse him?
Answer. Because this might restore consciousness and render
further effort unnecessary.
Question. If the patient does not revive under the effort to
arouse him, what would you do?
Answer. I would expel the water from the stomach and
chest.
Question. How would you expel the water from the stomach
arid chest?
Answer. Separate the jaws and keep them apart by placing