Signals For the Use of the Navy of the Confederate States

[David]

Signals For the Use of the Navy of the Confederate States

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SIGNALS

for the use of

THE NAVY

of the

CONFEDERATE STATES.

1861.



RICHMOND:
Enquirer Book and Job Press.
Tyler, Wise & Allegre.

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Signals.

Nos.
4.	ACT			at your discretion.
5.	ACTION			prepare for.
6.		Action		commence.
7.		Action		close.
12.		Action		withdraw from.
21.		Ahead		go and look out for danger. Having the signal for danger bent to let it be known.
44.		Anchor		run in and.
75.	ASSENT			or yes.
82.	ASSISTANCE			in want of.
128.	BOARD			the enemy.
136.		Boats		cover, or protect.
138.		Boats		recall your.
129.		Boats		send one to commander-in-chief. If another ship, her pendant or number will be shown.
146.		Boats		send, to chase.
170.		Boilers		are damaged. The number will be shown by next signal, in numerals, if necessary.
171.		Boilers		are leaky.
172.	BOOKS			signal, send, on board the commander-in-chief. If on board, send for. (See no. 1056.)
183.	BRIG			the strange sail is.
184.	BRING-TO			on the starboard tack.
185.		Bring-to		on the port tack.
186.		Bring-to		to repair damages.
186.		Bring-to		the van and centre till the rear closes.
188.		Bring-to		the van till the centre closes.

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4

195.	BUSINESS			or enterprise, have you completed that, which you were directed to do.
211.		Cast off		the ship or ships that you are towing.
222.	CEASE			firing.
282.	CHASE			the strange sail at your discretion. If separated from the fleet, rejoin as soon as possible.
283.		Chase		to discontinue.
300.	CHASED			I have been.
308.		Close		to hailing distance.
320.	COAL			I am in want of.
329.	COLORS			show your.
353.		Communications		I have, for the commander-in-chief.
		Communications		make, by telegraph.
	COMPASS	SIGNALS.
357.	North.
358.	N. by E.
359.	N.N.E.
360.	N.E. by N.
361.	N.E.
362.	N.E. by E.
363.	E.N.E.
364.	E. by N.
365.	East.
366.	E. by S.
367.	E.S.E.
368.	S.E.by E.
369.	S.E.
370.	S.E. by S.
371.	S.S.E.
372.	S. by E.
373.	South.
374.	S. by W.
375.	S.S.W.
376.	S.W. by S.
377.	S.W.
378.	S.W. by W.

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379.	W.S.W.
380.	W. by S.
381.	West.
382.	W. by N.
383.	W.N.W.
384.	N.W. by W.
385.	N.W.
386.	N.W. by N.
387.	N.N.W.
388.	N. by W.
389.	By the wind on the starboard tack.
390.	By the wind on the port tack.
391.	Before the wind.
392.	One point.
393.	Two points.
394.	Three points.
395.	Four points.
396.	Five points.
397.	Six points.
398.	Seven points.
399.	Eight points.
400.	Nine points.
	Note.- Whenever it is intended to make quarter-point compass signals, it will be done by repeating the same signal, continuing to the right hand.
423.	COURSE		steer as will be shown by compass signal.
			Note.- If rate of sailing or steaming per hour is necessary, it will be shown in knots by numerals.
424.		Course	steer the same, as the commander-in-chief.
		Cover	the boats. (See No. 136.)
434.	COVERED		that all the lights of the fleet are to be kept perfectly, during the night.
448.		Damage	is repaired.
	DAMAGED		by shot holes between wind and water.
			(See No. 494.)

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490.		Disabled or Damaged				is, the engine.
491.		Disabled or Damaged				is, the propeller.
492.		Disabled or Damaged				are, the paddle wheels.
494.		Disabled or Damaged				having a dangerous shot between
						wind and water
502.		Discovering			the enemy. Compass signal will show
					the direction, and the number of, afterwards
					by numerals if necessary.
503.		Discovering			strange ships. Compass signal will show the
					direction, and the number of, if necessary.
504.	DISEMBARK			your force.
534.	EMBARK			your forces.
541.	ENEMY			have you seen; direction, number, and
				character, give.
542.		Enemy		how are they steering.
543.		Enemy		I have seen.
546.		Enemy		is at anchor.
550.		Enemy		is getting underway.
569.	ENEMIES			the strange ship or ships in sight are sus-
				pected to be.
570.		Enemies		the strange ship or ships in sight are posi-
				tively.
		Engine		is disabled. (See No. 490.)
579.		Engine		is in good order.
580.		Engine		is there anything wrong with your.
583.	EXAMINE			the strange ship or ships you are in chase
				of, or that are passing through or near the
				fleet. If suspicious, bring them to
				the commander-in-chief; if not, obtain
				what intelligence you can, and return to
				your station as soon as possible.
609.		Fire		this ship is on.
613.	FIRES			keep up. If in a particular number of fur-
				naces, it will be shown by numerals.
615.		Fires		keep banked in furnaces.

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7

620.	FLOATS		unship. If unshipped, ship.
622.	FOLLOW		the motions of the commanding officer.
623.		Follow	do not, the motions of the commanding officer.
624.		Follow	your instructions.
665.		Go ahead.
666.		Go ahead	slow.
667.		Go ahead	faster.
668.		Go ahead	at full power.
675.		Guns	are or have been heard in the direction to
			be shown by compass signal, if necessary.
	HARBOR	. . . . .	run into, and anchor. (See No. 44.)
	HEAVE		to. (See Nos. from 184 to 188.)
710.	INFERIOR		are the enemies' ships, to the whole fleet.
746.	KEEP		all fast.
747.		Keep	underway.
		Keep	within signal distance.
761.		Land	I see.
773.	LIGHTS		carry one, during the night.
778.	LOOK		into the harbor and reconnoitre.
792.	MAKE		the best of your way into your intended port,
			or in the execution of your orders.
797.	MERCHANTMEN,		are the vessels in sight.
814.	NEGATIVE		NO, NONE, or NOTHING.
	PADDLEWHEELS		are disabled. (See No. 492.)
845.	PART		company.
846.		Part	company, you may not.
864.	PILOT		boat or boats in sight.
866.		Pilot	I am in want of one.
874.	POSSESSION		take, of the chase or enemy.
877.	PREPARE		for battle.
879.		Prepare	to board.
892.	PRIZE		abandon.
896.		Prize	destroy.
902.		Prize	take in tow.
903	PROCEED		on the service assigned to you.

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			8
938.	RECONNOITRE		the enemy, and make known to the com-
			ander-in-chief his force, number, &c.,
			as soon as possible
988.	REPEAT		signals.
1019.		Sail	to make.
1024.		Sail	to make, or carry all possible, consistent
			with safety.
1029.		Sail	and steam together, keep under.
1034.	SAILS		to furl.
1051.		Ship	is the strange sail in sight.
1057.		Signal	distance, keep within.
1061.	SINKING		this ship is.
1063.	SLIP		and make sail.
1065.	SLOOP-OF-WAR		is the strange vessel.
1067.		Smoke	I see, that of a steamer. Direction will next be
			shown by compass signal, if necessary.
1101.		Steam	I am unable to use.
1105.		Steam	keep under, only.
1106.	STEAMER		is, the vessel in sight.
1124.		Strange	sail, do not suffer to approach.
1125.		Strange	vessel is a friend.
1136.	SUPERIOR		are the enemy's ships, to the whole fleet.
1147.	TACK		ship.
1148.		Tack	or wear at discretion.
1164.	TACKED		that the strange or enemy's ship or ships have, and
			are steering as will next be shown by compass signal.
1191.	TOW		this ship, or the ship whose pendant or number
			will be shown next.
1192.	Tow		prepare to be taken in. If by a particular
			vessel, her pendant or number
			will next be shown. When ready to be taken in tow,
			the "preparatory" pendant to be hoisted at the fore.
1198.	TOWLINE		additional one, send, to the vessel you
			are towing.

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1218.	UNDERWAY		to get.
1230.		Underway	that the strange or enemy's fleet, ship,
			or ships, are.
1231.	UNEQUAL		that I am, to the contest.
1243.		Want	that I am in, of a medical officer.

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FOG SIGNALS.

No.	Number of Guns	Interval in	No. of guns or
	or Whistles.	minutes.	whistles.
1	[2]	[3]	[1]	ACT at your
				discretion.
3	[2]	[3]	[3]	ANCHOR.

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The guard signal hoisted over the following numbers is to indicate that those numbers are there employed as distinguishing pennants.

The private signal of the squadron is the answering pennant over the ensign at the mast head.


No. 4 - Act at discretion
5-Action prepare for
6- " commence
7- " close
12- Withdraw from
13- Act as already ordered-
15 - Action continues
21 - Ahead go and look out for danger - having the signal for danger bent, to let it be known

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ADDITIONAL SIGNALS

Nos.

22 Act as the Commander-in chief
23 Act as already ordered
24 Action _________ continue
25 Anchor ______ I am in want of
26 Anchor & Keep up steam
27 Anchor ________ weigh
28 Anchor _______ let go
29 Assistance send to this vessel or the one whose pennant or number shall be shown
44 - Anchor, run in and
45 - " I am in want of
49 - Anchor, and keep up steam
77 Ammunition I am in want of
78 Ammunition I have none
54 - Anchor with spring on cable

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133 Barque the strange sail is
55 - Anchor
56 - Anchor
57 -Anchor on starboard beam of immediate Senior
58 - " " port " " " "
59 - " " Starboard. Quar. " " " "
60 - " " port " " " "
330 Comd'ng Officers come on board
331 Cover this ship or the ship whose pennant or number
" " " " " is shown.
332 Come within hail.
544 Engage the nearest of the enemys [sic] ships
545 Engage the largest of the enemy
" ships
547 Engage the smallest of the enemys
" ships
548 Engage the enemy at long range
549. Engage the enemy at short range
561 Entice the enemy under our guns
61 - Anchor ahead of immediate Senior
62 = " astern do do do
75 - Assent or Yes
77 - Ammunition -- I am in want of
82 - Assistance in want of

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83-- Assistance give to vessel in distress
84 - send to vessel whose no. will be shown
128 - Board the Enemy
129 - Boat send to Comdg-in-Cheif [sic] of another
ship her no will be shown
610 Fuel I am in want of
611 Frigate the strange sail is.
612 Form the line of battle on the starboard tack.
614 Form the line of battle on the port tack.
616 Form the first order of steaming.
626 Form the 2nd order of steaming.
627 Form the 3rd order of steaming
628 Form in the order already agreed to
629 Fires start.
630 Fires put out.

136 Boats cover or protect.
680 Hulled this ship is.
137 Boats
138 Boats recall
146 Boats send to chase
170 Boilers are damaged
171 " " leakey [sic]

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767 Launches the strange boats are
171 Books, signal, send on board the Comd. in Cheif [sic] if on board
send for (See No. 1056)
175. Board the enemy
762 Leaking this vessel is faster than
the pumps can clear her.
182. Barque the strange sail is
183 Brig " " " "
880 Prepare to anchor.
184 - Bring to on the Starboard tack
185 - " " " " Port "
186 - " " " to repair damages
187 - " " the van and centre till the rear closes
188 Bring to the van till the centre closes
195 - Business or Enterprise- have you completed that you have been directed to do
211 Cast off the ships or ship you are towing
222 Cease firing.
282 Chase the strange sail at your discretion. If separated from the fleet - rejoin it as
soon as possible
283 - Chase discontinue
300 - Chased I have been

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320 - Coal I am in want of




329 - Colours, show your
330 - Comd-Offs. or Comdg. Off. whose no. is shown come on board
331 Come within hail

438 Danger





990 - Return to your position
1018. - Safety seek your own

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880 - Prepare to anchor
680 Hulled this ship is

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Signals.

450. - Detention what causes.
438. - Danger.
581. - Exercise the guns.
990. - Return to your position.
1236. - Understand I do not, the signal.
890. - Prepare to sail.
1018. - Safety seek your own.
1059. Shore run your vessel on.

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13 - Act as already ordered.
15 - Action continue.
17
22 - Act as the Comdr. in chief.
24 - Action continue
27 - Anchor weigh.
28 - Anchor let go.
29 - Assistance send to this vessel, or the one whose pennant or number shall be next shown.
45 - Anchor I am in want of ,
49 - Anchor and keep at steam.
54 - Anchor with a spring on cable.
57 - Anchor on Starboard beam of immediate Senior.
58 - Anchor on Port beam of immediate Senior.
x17 - Ammunition I am in want of.
133 - Barque the strange sail is.
175 - Board the enemy.
183 - Barque the strange sail is.
330 - Comdg. Officer come on board.
332 - Cover this ship, or the vessel whose pennat [sic] on number is shown.
331 - Come within hail.
438 - Danger.
544 - Engage the nearest Enemy.
548 - Engage the Enemy at long range.
580 - Exercise small arms.
581 - Exercise the gun.
610 - Fuel I am in want.
629 - Fires start.