I have in course of preparation a set of Night Signals adapted to this Code, by means of which I contemplate that an equal facility will be afforded to telegraphic communication by night. I await the result of certain experiments to incorporate this with the general Code, and have every reason to hope so desirable an end will be satisfactorily accomplished. To remove the difficulty which has been experienced in the use of the Code by commanders of foreign vessels unacquainted with the English language, I am preparing translations of the Fifth and Sixth Parts into the French, Italian, Spanish, and Dutch languages. This will render available to the Mercantile Navy of the whole world the practical use of one Universal Code of Signals, the value of which can hardly be overrated when it is considered that many of the numerous casualties constantly occurring in maritime life may thus be averted, or their consequences greatly alleviated. May this also be the means of cultivating a kindliness and cordiality between those who have no other point of unity than that they go down to the sea in ships and do business in great waters," which must tend to produce that harmony and peace the great mainspring of the prosperity of all nations. 66 Lastly, I would renew the suggestion of former Editions, that captains of vessels should thoroughly acquaint themselves with the Sentences in Part V. and the Vocabulary in Part VI., as this will enable them to express their wants and wishes with much greater facility and with less chance of misapprehension. G. B. RICHARDSON. London, 1854. A List of Foreign Men of War. 2. 3. A List of Merchant Ships of all Nations. 4. 5. A List of Lighthouses, Ports, Headlands, Rocks, Shoals, A Collection of Sentences. 6. The Vocabulary. Every number being omitted in which the same figure occurs twice, as in 101, 556, &c., a substitute flag and pendant are rendered unnecessary; but as substitutes will at times be required, the First, Second, and Third Distinguishing Pendants are used for this purpose, the explanation of which is fully given in Plate No. 3. The Flags and Pendants, as exemplified in Plate No. 1, are sixteen in number, exclusive of The Union Jack, which is hoisted over the Number of an English Man of War in Part the First, and are as follow: The Ten Numerical Flags, which represent the ten figures in arithmetic, and are used throughout the General Code. The First, Second, and Third Distinguishing Pendants, which are hoisted over the number, or at some other mast-head when the number of a merchant vessel is shewn in Part the Third. The Rendezvous Flag, which is hoisted over the number of Lighthouses, Ports, Headlands, &c., in Part the Fourth, and occasionally at some other mast-head, or below the number, as explained at the head of the List of Ports, Headlands, &c. The Telegraph Flag, which is hoisted at some other mast-head when the numbers in Part the Sixth are shewn. The Numeral Pendant, which is hoisted over a number when merely the figures are intended to be shewn, and is hoisted between the numbers when the latitude or longitude is required, and is hoisted singly as the Answering Pendant. The Sentences in Part the Fifth have no distinguishing flag, but are represented by the numeral flags alone. GEOMETRICAL SIGNALS. The Geometrical Signals are intended to facilitate the use of the Code during light winds and calms, or when, from distance, the intermixed colours of the flags are not easily distinguished, and consist of certain Forms or Symbols in place of the Flags and Pendants, as exemplified in Plate No. 6, and are as follow: The 5 forms colored Red, which represent the numeral flags Nos. 1 to 5. The 5 forms colored Blue or Black, which represent the numeral flags Nos. 6 to 0. The Red Hexagon, which represents the First Distinguishing Pendant when hoisted over the number, and the Union Jack when hoisted under the number, and implies the affirmative when hoisted singly. The Blue or Black Hexagon, which represents the Second Distinguishing Pendant when hoisted over the number, and the Rendezvous Flag when hoisted under the number, and implies the negative when hoisted singly. The Yellow (or White) Hexagon, which represents the Third Distinguishing Pendant when hoisted over the number, and the Numeral Pendant when hoisted under the number, and the Telegraph Flag when hoisted at some other masthead, and is the answering Pendant when hoisted singly. To avoid the necessity of an increased number of forms or symbols, the use to which the Rendezvous Flag is occasionally applied, as explained at the head of the List of Ports, Headlands, &c., is not provided for, but the Rendezvous Flag may be used in conjunction with the numeral Forms or Symbols for this purpose. These Signals should be made of canvas, stretched on frames of the several forms exemplified in the Plate. Mr. RICHARDSON manufactures them of two sizes, each signal folding compactly, at the undermentioned prices. The set of Thirteen Geometrical Signals, large size.. £ Ditto ditto medium size £ |