Paragraph on “ Naval Signalling Codes ” complete paragraph for Class 9, Class 10, Class 11 and Class 12

 Naval Signalling Codes 

Systems of communication such as radio, semaphore and morse have, to a great extent, outdated naval signalling flags. However, this system of signalling, the same one Nelson used during the Battle of Trafalgar is still used today, especially when electronically-operated systems fail; and it is still very much a matter of course for all naval personnel to be familiar with the code.

The International Code of Signals used at sea has 4o different flags, 26 of them are alphabetical, representing each letter of the Roman alphabet. Ten are numerical, covering the digits one to zero, and there are four indicating the first four Roman numerals. Messages sent by these flags are flown from a halyard, and they are usually read from the top of the halyard downwards. A signal halyard sends one complete message at one time, though not always, and large ships can hoist a number of halyards, each with a different signal.

If messages were all sent alphabetically the same number of flags as letters would he required, so, usually the numerical pendants are used to send code numbers for convenience and brevity. These numbers are all contained in a General Signal book, a large volume in which hundreds of useful phrases are classified. ‘File number 287 might mean ‘proceed at once’, and would he signalled on the halyard with the three numerical pendants of 2, 8 and 7 instead of 13 alphabetical flags. The alphabetical flags are also used in code combinations, and these are contained in the Vocabulary Signal Book.