269:. Each character consisted of a combination of three basic motions (elements). The neutral position was the flagman holding his device vertically and motionless above his head. The first motion was initiated by bringing the device downward on the signalman's right side and then quickly returning it to its upright position. The second motion brought the device down on the left side and then returned it to the starting position. The third motion lowered the device in front of the signalman, then restored it to its vertical position. Like Morse code, but unlike Myer's original code, this binary code did not have a fixed length for each character. For instance,
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179:, additional flags and an expanded list of signals are used for identification and commands, as well as the mercantile uses. Many navies have their own proprietary or secret codes, and use additional flags. A designator flag is used to indicate if a flaghoist signal is meant to be interpreted as an ICS signal or as a naval signal. The U.S. Navy uses a set of 68 flags, including flags for each letter of the alphabet and each numeral to convey messages of tactical or administrative nature.
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disks were 12 to 18 inches (30 to 46 cm) in diameter and were made of metal or wood frames with canvas surfaces. Somewhat easier to handle than the flags, they provided a different method for daylight communications. The lights were kerosene lanterns attached to a staff. A second "foot torch" was placed on the ground before the signalman as a fixed point of reference, making it easier for the recipient to follow the lantern's movements.
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in 1861. In this code, alphabet letters were equated with three positions of a single flag, disk, or light. The flags measured two, four, or six feet (60, 120 or 180 cm) square and were generally either red or black banners with white square centers or white banners with red square centers. The
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was coded as "222". Myer's 1866 manual also includes a 3-element fixed length code using four elements, and the 1872 manual has a 3-element fixed length code using three elements. There is little sign that these codes were widely used. The 1872 manual includes a variable length code using four
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can mean any of various methods of using flags or pennants to send signals. Flags may have individual significance as signals, or two or more flags may be manipulated so that their relative positions convey symbols. Flag signals allowed communication at a distance before the invention of
231:, a surgeon by training, developed a system using left or right movements of a flag (or torch or lantern at night). Myer's system used a single flag, waved back and forth in a binary code conceptually similar to the
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signalling uses two flags, held in specific positions to signify letters. This method requires simple equipment but can be obscured by bad weather. A permanently installed chain of semaphore stations is a
161:, and generally any method of signaling by such means. Each of the flags has a distinct shape and color combination. Each flag or combination of flags has a preassigned meaning or "code". The
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Myer's code was ternary (three symbols). However, only two of these symbols were used for letters, making it largely binary. The third symbol only appeared in
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method of signaling, or "wig-wagging". More mobile than previous means of optical telegraphy, as it only required one flag, this code was used extensively by
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defines a standard set of flags and associated alphabet suitable for international use, as well as a set of standard codes. Flaghoist is also used in
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has a long history, especially prior to the advent of radio, and remains the preferred means of signaling in many situations. In
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and before the invention of the electric telegraph, was the fastest means of communication over moderately long distances.
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International Code of
Signals for Visual, Sound, and Radio Communications, United States Edition, 1969 (Revised 2003)
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Flaghoist signalling is one or more flags (or pennants) simultaneously flying from a fixed
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International Code of
Signals For Visual, Sound and Radio Communications
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elements which Myer says was used by the Army, but is superseded.
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and are still used especially in connection with ships.
368:"How Napoleon's semaphore telegraph changed the world"
662:
International Code of
Signals, 2005 ed. (IMO IA994E)
598:. Washington D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.
664:, IMO – International Maritime Organization, 2005,
49:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
547:. Buffalo: Steam Press of Jewett, Thomas & Co.
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519:The Oxford Companion to American Military History
235:of dots and dashes. This is sometimes called the
708:Nice article by Captain Barrie Kent, Royal Navy.
318:England expects that every man will do his duty
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696:United States Edition, 1969 (Revised 2003)
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109:Learn how and when to remove this message
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702:Collection of different flag systems.
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712:Signal Corps Association 1860 ~ 1865
515:Chambers II, John Whiteclay (1999).
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47:adding citations to reliable sources
523:. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
500:, New York: Charles Scribner's Sons
349:"International Marine Signal Flags"
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288:International maritime signal flags
627:. Johns Hopkins University Press.
544:A New Sign Language for Deaf Mutes
247:. (Its first use in battle was by
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497:Military Memoirs of a Confederate
366:Schofield, Hugh (June 17, 2013).
494:Alexander, Edward (April 1907),
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690:Comprehensive flag information.
34:needs additional citations for
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559:. New York: D. Van Nostrand.
407:, pp. 3, 4, 14–16, 30–31
163:International Code of Signals
623:Wolters, Timothy S. (2013).
243:troops on both sides in the
592:Getting the Message Through
581:, New York: D. Van Nostrand
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16:Communication using flags
700:John Savard's flag page.
589:Raines, Rebecca (1996).
575:Myer, Albert J. (1872),
555:Myer, Albert J. (1866).
541:Myer, Albert J. (1851).
370:– via www.bbc.com.
259:First Battle of Bull Run
173:Maritime flag signalling
565:2027/nyp.33433009343363
320:(a famous flag signal).
313:Racing Rules of Sailing
255:Edward Porter Alexander
706:Flag Signalling at Sea
308:Lifeguard § Flags
273:was coded as "2", but
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217:features wig-wag flags
215:US Signal Corps guidon
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303:Naval flag signalling
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205:Wigwag (flag signals)
177:naval flag signalling
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133:Flaghoist signalling
43:improve this article
578:A Manual of Signals
557:A Manual of Signals
149:Storm warning flags
688:Flags of the World
625:Information at Sea
267:control characters
245:American Civil War
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671:978-92-801-4198-6
142:Hurricane warning
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221:In the 1850s,
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188:Flag semaphore
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611:22 September
609:. Retrieved
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502:, retrieved
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41:Please help
36:verification
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393:Raines 1996
383:, p. 5
381:Raines 1996
249:Confederate
167:boat racing
99:August 2011
721:Categories
605:0160872812
530:0195071980
252:Lieutenant
233:Morse code
213:A typical
147:See also:
69:newspapers
477:Myer 1872
465:Myer 1872
453:Myer 1866
429:Myer 1866
417:Myer 1866
293:Signaller
223:U.S. Army
183:Semaphore
337:ICS 1969
282:See also
486:Sources
257:at the
237:wig-wag
159:halyard
83:scholar
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653:, 1969
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651:(PDF)
596:(PDF)
325:Notes
226:Major
127:radio
90:JSTOR
76:books
666:ISBN
629:ISBN
613:2018
600:ISBN
525:ISBN
506:2018
151:and
62:news
561:hdl
45:by
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