the other ship shews the Code pennant; when that is done, lower and unbend. Next look for. (the stop after the initial H.); the signal letters are WVL; bend on and hoist, and when answered, lower. Now look for S, and in the Signal Book, in the column headed S, you would find "Sal", the signal letters for which are CFKR; hoist, and lower when answered; look for "mon"; the letters are CDQP; hoist, and lower when answered. The whole reads "H. Salmon".

(2.) P BBB

T C

F J

BCGGG GG WCW WCC

HCPD G DVS Q R S V DV V BB
SFN WHL PLC BL TCL LL

QF F F
RSS R
KG C W

H V V D F
K C L Q J

R K

When ships are too far off to distinguish the colours of the flags, the system of distant signals is used. This consists of two balls, two pennants, and two square flags. Ships not supplied with the flags of the "Commercial Code" can use the distant signals, by cutting two pieces of canvas as pennants, and two more as squares. Each flag is represented by a combination of three of these, as—

PREB

You are running Fire: or leak. Want Short of provisions.

into Danger,

immediate assistance.

Starving.

Aground. Want immediate assistance.

One ball is used for answering, and for a full stop after a complete signal. If you have made a mistake by hoisting a wrong letter, you must haul down, and hoist two balls, which is the "annul" signal.

These distant signals have two distinct uses: First, each one has a meaning of its own when hoisted separately: this is given in the Signal Book. Second, they can be substituted for the flags as before mentioned.

Suppose you wished to make the signal for Whitby (the signal letters for which are BFSN) you would hoist ball pennant square (B); and the ship or station would answer by hoisting and dipping one ball. When answered, you would haul down B, and bend on and hoist ball square square (F). When answered, haul down. Then pennant pennant ball (S.) When answered, haul down. Then ball pennant ball (N). When answered, haul down. And then hoist one ball to shew you have completed your signal.

SEMAPHORES.

On the Coast of France they have a modification of these distant signals: a tall post is erected, with a circular disc at the top; and when this disc is turned to you, it means they wish to communicate. There are three arms attached, capable of being turned into different positions. If pointing upwards, it is the same as our square; if straight out, our ball; and if pointing downwards, our pennant.