326 COMMUNICATION BY SIGNALS. 



fractured by the shot; he afterwards fought two of the 

 enemy on his knees, who were quickly dispatched by his 

 companions, and the French ship soon after struck. More 

 particulars of this transaction are recorded in the XV vo- 

 lume of tlie Naval Chronicle, page 193. I have the plea- 

 sure to add, that Lieut. Spratt, after a tedious illness, has 

 recovered the use of his leg, and now has the command at 

 the signal post at Teignmouth, anxiously wishing to be again 

 employed in more active service against the enemies of his 

 country. 



' I have taken the liberty of sending this communication, 

 and the account of his invention, unknown to him, know- 

 ing that the Society of Arts &c. is generally disposed to en- 

 courage merit in every rank and situation wherever found. 



M.S. 



Description of This new, easy, and useful code of signals is to be pcr- 

 a Mnipie and formed with a wliite pocket-handkerchief, to be held in dif- 

 ''raph. fercnt positions with the body. Plate VIII, figure 1, A, 



v.'ith the dotted lines, exhibits the whole of the numeral ho- 

 mograph signals at one view, (see'the positions that the 

 handkerchief is held in, and the figures marked). The first 

 position from the right foot to the right hand is No. 1, the 

 others No- 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 0, follow in succes- 

 sion. When making 1, 5, 9, and 0, the handkerchief should 

 be held by the diagonal corners, as generally prepared for 

 wearing round the neck. 



For making 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, the opposite sides of the 

 handkerchief should be gathered in each hand, the near ex- 

 tremity of the handkerchief to be held by one hand to the 

 point of the shoulder. 



In working the homograph the body should be erect, the 

 positions steady, the handkerchief to be held well in front 

 of the arms, and facing the person to whom you are to im- 

 part your intentions. 

 Bet situation The best place for shoAving signals from a ship is in the 

 for using it in chains, or on a lower deck port, as the white haiidkercliief 

 exhibits a greater contrast Avith the black sides, and is of 

 or on shore. course better discerned. When on shore, they should be 

 made from the side of a green hill, or in front of some thick 

 foliage, or hedge, or dark wall. 



The 



