646 
the atmosphere too unfavourable to dis- 
tinguish colours, there are no means of 
communicating intelligence. If we could 
laugh at such absurdity as the following, 
we would, but it is too contemptible even 
to smile at. In the old system, there is a 
signal, consisting of colowr only, to inform 
a ship, which has made signals, that their 
signal is not visible! Where such absur- 
dity originated we leave the admiralty to 
determine. 
The chief framer of the system, now in 
use, was Sir Home Popham.* The errors in 
this system are palpable and numerous, 
and have called on the attention of the 
Board of Admiralty more than once for im- 
provement. The principal objections are— 
Ist, the blended use of mwmerals and let- 
ters, which cause a superfluity of flags, 
which must create confusion and delay :— 
2d, the making signals of a negative import 
follow affirmative. Thus, “ Can come up 
with the chace”—*“ Cannot come up with 
the chace’”—“ In condition to renew the 
action, 2, C, D,’—“‘ Not in condition, 
2, C, E.””—3. In using interrogatories, nu- 
meral, and orthographical flags. Besides 
these glaring faults, there are many more 
of minor importance, all of which have 
been avoided by Admiral Raper. 
As we before remarked, the system pro- 
posed by Admiral Raper, consists; princi- 
pally, in superadding form to colour. It 
seems to us, from the author’s own ana- 
lysis of his system, that colowrs are actually 
superfluous. First, we have a complete 
series of numeral flags, each numeral de- 
noted by some specific colour ; thus, No. 1, 
red, with a-white cross, and so on. Next, 
a series of pendants, indicating, in the same 
way, the numerals, substitutes, &c. Then, 
we have the great improvement, a combi- 
nation of flags, and pendants, of different 
forms, which indicate the numerals, sub- ~ 
stitutes, &c. Now it is clear that, if by 
these combinations any signal can be made, © 
there is no need of colour. This combina- 
tion enables ships to communicate with 
each other, when co/owr is not to be dis- 
tinguished, and, consequently, when it can 
be distinguished the communication must 
be yet more easy. We, therefore, at once, 
say, that the gallant admiral is not aware 
of all the benefit he has conferred on the 
navy. Hehas completely shewn the inwii- 
lity of making colour a means of receiy- 
ing, or communicating intelligence. 
The importance of this discovery can 
only be fully appreciated by naval men. 
The saving, during war, in particular, 
‘would be considerable, and the labour of 
working signals materially diminished. 
_ We may now offer a few observations on 
the combinations of colours hitherto used by 
the navy. The prismatic colours only 
navy; but as it appears to differ only in a slight 
degree from that of Sir H. Popham, it is plain 
that the system still pursued is that introduced 
by the above-mentioned officer. 
Monthly Review of Literature, 
(Dec. 
should have been used, as all mixtures vary’ 
materially, according to the medium through 
which they are seen. Flags pierced with 
other colours, must, at a moderate distance, 
become indistinct ; those crossed are liable 
to the same objections; others composed of 
colours, which, by becoming blended from 
different tints, must create doubt. All 
these are serious errors, and their effects 
must have been often felt, and that, per- 
haps, in. trying situations. The substitu. 
tion of combinations of forms sweeps, at a 
single stroke, all these evils into the deep. 
Where forms only are used, the flags may, 
be all lighter (in weight), a point of import~ 
ance when blowing hard, or when great 
celerity is required. The-two colours best 
discerned on the ocean are white and black. 
White has rather the advantage in clear, 
fine weather. Black can be seen at dusk, 
or in dark cloudy weather, better than any 
other; and, therefore, we think that all 
the bunting used in the navy for signals, 
should be either black or white—we should 
prefer the former. ‘There should always be 
on deck two sets of signals, one much 
smaller than the other, which ought to be 
used in port, in fleets, during fine weather, 
and by ships, in blowing weather, when 
near enough for the forms to be distin- 
guishable. ° 
We observed that the interrogative flags, 
and pendants, were superfluous—the ad- 
miral removes in a masterly and simple 
observation, all the difficulties which might 
be apprehended from the want of them. 
As certain combinations are assigned to the ex- 
clusive use of the Admiral, if a ship of the fleet 
employs any one of them in his presence, with or 
without her own distinguishing pendants, it be- 
comes at once Interrogative; and the same argu- 
ment applies to the signals assigned to the use of 
the ships of the fleet when employed by the Ad+ 
miral. Thus, for example, the signal which sig- 
nifies, ** I can come up with the chase without 
parting company,” when addressed by the Admi- 
ral to a ship in chase, demands of the chaser 
whether he can come up with the chase without 
parting company. 
By this means, the whole ‘of the signals are ren- 
dered interrogative without employing an addi- 
tional symbol; and thus Interrogation, when 
colours fail, which has never before been’ practi- 
cable, is expressed by the distant signals with the 
same facility as any other communication. 
Another improvement must not be passed, 
over unnoticed—that of uniting specific 
combinations with specific purposes. Thus, 
a triangular flag, over or under a flag, ins 
dicates distress. For example, a triangular 
flag over Flag No. 1, means, “ The ship on 
fire ;’’—over No. 2, ‘* No hope of extin« 
guishing the fire’””—over No. 3, “* Not in a 
condition to renew action.” It is clear, 
that in such circumstances, simplicity of 
communication is of vital importance. 
We shall not presume to speak of the 
tactical part of the work, which refers to 
the evolutions of flects. 
It would not in- 
