Young sailor's assistant in practical seamanship including the rules of the road; directions for resuscitating the apparently drowned, etc., etc., together with the salutes ... naval signal flags, Very's lights, and the international code of signals

Front matter

IN

PRACTICAL SEAMANSHIP

INCLUDING THE

Preface

The object of this work is to present a simple, practical seamanship for the use of the "young sailors" of the Navy; and through it, if possible, to bring about a uniformity of instruction among the Naval Apprentices, the necessity of which has long been felt by those who have been connected with the Training System.

I trust the work, in its simple way, will not only prove an assistant to the young sailor, but will also be of service to the Instructors by suggesting questions and answers that might not otherwise occur to them. .

Everything obsolete, so far as practicable, has been omitted, and the work has been confined to the manner of rigging and fitting vessels of the present day.

I have consulted and made extracts from Luce's Seamanship (ed. 1877), Nare's Seamanship, Qualtrough's Sailors* Handy Book, The Boys' Manual, by Commander C. Burney, R. N., Hammersley's Naval Encyclopaedia, and the Equipment Allowance Book, and I have been greatly assisted by the advice of Commodore Earl English, U. S. Navy, Lieutenant A. P. Nazro, U. S. Navy, and Boatswain C. E. Hawkins, U. S. Navy. I am endebted to Chief Constructor T. D. Wilson, U. S. Navy, for the use of the Bureau's drawings of the hull and spars of the " Lancaster," and other vessels.

EMORY H. TAUNT, Lieutenant, U. S. N.

Navy Department,

Washington, D. C, 1883.

Contents

SIGNALS.

General Service Code,*Day and Night Signals — Homographic Code, Day and Night Signals — Examples, etc., etc pp. 5-15

SALUTES.

Chapter I

Bags — Clothing — Hammocks — Messes — Slinging Hammocks — Lashing Hammocks — Cleaning Hammocks — Care of Clothing — ■ Watches^ — Bells for Denoting Time on Board Ship — Formation of Messes — Ration Money — Rations, etc., etc pp. 30-39

Chapter II

Rigs of Vessels — Men-of-War, how Classed — Names of Masts, Yards and Sails — Names of the Parts of a Ship, the Fittings, etc., etc.,

Chapter III

Names of the parts of Masts, Bowsprit, Yards and Sails — Gaskets — ■

Reef Earings — Head Earings — Back Cloths — Securing Sails to

Yards and Stays — Awnings — Ridge Ropes, etc., etc. . . pp. 64-83

Chapter IV

Standing Rigging — Shrouds — Stays — Backstays — Head Rigging- Gammoning — Laniards of Rigging — Dead Eyes — Hearts — Sheer Poles — Ratlines— Fittings for Yards — Jacob's Ladders, etc.,

pp. 84-90 CHAPTER V.

Marline — Spike Seamanship — Knots — Splices — Bends — Hitches — Clinches — Seizings — Worming — Parcelling — Serving — Slinks —

CONTENTS.

Pointing Ropes — Whipping Ropes — Sennit — Round, Square, French Sennit, etc. — Mats, etc.. etc pp. 90-115

Chapter VI

Boats — Parts of a Boat — Catamaran — Oars — Lowering and Hoisting Boats — Orders Used by Persons in Charge of Boats — Towing Boats — Gripes — Securing Boats for Sea — Beaching Boats — General Remarks, Applied to Boats Under Oars and Sails — Duties of Boat-Keepers — Boats Under Sail — Rigs of Boats — Handling Boats Under Sail — Remarks on Boats Under Sail .... pp. 1 16-147

Chapter VII

Blocks — Block Straps — Tackles — Common Block — Morticed Block — Different Classes of Blocks — Strapping Blocks — Description of Different Purchases — Rope or Cordage, Different Kinds, How and Where Made, Its Uses, How Preserved — Hawsers, Towlines, Where Stowed, etc., etc. — Wire and Hide Rope, Their Uses — How Protected from the Weather pp. 148-173

Chapter VIII

Compass — Helm — Lead — Log — To Box the Compass — Construction of the Navy Compass — Description of a Tiller — Rudder — Tiller or Wheel Ropes — Leads, when Used — Lead Lines, how Marked, etc., etc. — Logs, What They Consist of, how Marked, when Used — Description of Log Line and Reel — Time Glasses — Taffrail Log WTnd — Scale — Cloud Record — Seamen's Proverbs, etc., etc.

Chapter IX

General Fittings and Lead of the Standing Rigging — Rigging of Bowsprit — Lower, Topmast, Topgallant and Royal Rigging — Healey's Patent Splice, for Fitting Rigging — Rigging of Yards, etc., etc.,

Chapter X

Rigging Ship — To Step Lower Masts — Send Up Tops — Getting over

Lower Rigging — Send up Lower Stays Send up Topmasts — Ship

Lower Caps — Rig Topmasts —Ship Topmast Caps — Send up and

Rig Lower and Topsail Yards — Rig out Jib Boom — Send up Top.

CONTENTS.

gallant Masts — Rig out Flying Jib-Boom — Cross Top-gallant and Royal Yards pp. 225-243

CHAPTER XL Staying of Masts and Setting up Rigging — Staying Masts by Use of Battens — Staying Lower Masts — Setting up Lower Rigging and Lower Stays — Securing Laniards — Mast Wedges — Mast Coats — Swiftering in — Sparring Down — Rattling Down — Snaking Down, etc., etc pp. 245-251

Chapter XII

Running Rigging — The Uses of Different Ropes — Reeving Gear — Lifts — Foot Ropes — Stirrups, etc. — Miscellaneous — Questions on Purchases, etc pp. 252-286

Chapter XIII

Bending, Loosing, Furling, Mending Sail, Reefing Sail — Squaring Yards — -To Make up Courses and Topsails for Bending — To Bend a Course and Topsail — To Make up and Bend Studding Sails — Loosing Sail to a Bowline — Shorten and Furl Sail — To Mend Sail — Reefing and Turning out Reefs — Unbending Sails, etc., etc.,

pp. 287-309 CHAPTER XIV.

Making and Reducing Sail, Ropes Used, etc., etc. — Working Studding Sails — Manoeuvring, Tacking, Wearing, etc., etc. — General Remarks — Ropes Used in Making and Taking in Sail — In Setting and Taking in Studding-sails — Manoeuvring under Various Circumstances — Tacking and Wearing — General Instructions as to Manner of "Making" and Shortening Sail, etc., etc.,

pp. 309-328.

Chapter XV

Exercising Spars — Shifting Sails — How to Send Topgallant and Royal Yards Up and Down — How to " Rig In " a Flying -Jib Boom — How to Send Down Topsail or Lower Yard- -How to Send Down or "Shift" a Topmast — How to Shift a Jib — How to Shift a Topsail and Course in Moderate Weather, and in a Gale, etc., etc.,

CONTENTS.

Chapter XVI. Capstans, Anchors And Chains

Capstan, How Made and Worked — Anchors and Chain Cables, How and Where Made — Names of Different Anchors in Use, and their Description — Construction and Use of a " Sea Anchor "— . How to Tell the Weight of an Anchor or Kedge — Manner of Making and Description of Chain Cables — How they are Marked, and Where Stowed on Board Ship, etc pp. 344-354.

Chapter XVII

Handling Anchors and Chains — Mooring — State of Hawse, etc., etc. — Warping and Kedging — Carrying Out Anchors — How Chains are Bent to Bower and Sheet Anchors — Appliances Used in Handling Anchors and Chains — How to Stopper and Bitt a Chain — Description of Cat and Fish Falls, and their Uses — How to " Bring To" a Chain, and Get Ready for Heaving Up Anchor— The Use of Messengers — Anchor Buoys — How to "Moor" a Vessel — How to Clear Hawse — How to Recover an Anchor and Chain if the Cable Parts — How to Carry Out a Kedge or Stream Anchor — How to Carry Out a Bower Anchor — How Warps are Run and Precautious to be Taken with Them when Wet, etc., etc pp. 355-376.

Chapter XVIII. Hoisting In And Out Of Boats — Securing Yards For Heavy Weights

How Launches and Other Boats are Hoisted in and out — Use of Triatic Stay — Manner of Securing Yards for Ordinary or Heavy Work, etc • pp. 377-382.

Chapter XIX

Preparations for Sea — Life Buoys, etc. — Man Overboard — Cork Jackets — Rules of the Road — Bells to Regulate the Movements of Steamers — How a Vessel is Prepared for Sea — What is Done About the Health Bill and Ship's Bills— What are Life Buoys— Their Use and How Worked on Vessels of War. — Life Boats —

CONTENTS.

Special Instructions and Additional Rules, Relating to Lights for Inland Waters — Aids to Memory for Rules of the Road — The Buoying of Channels, etc., etc 383-400

Chapter XX

Cautionary Weather Signals — Stations for the Display of Same — Life Saving Service — Vessels Ashore — Management of Open Boats in a Surf — Instructions for Saving Drowning Persons by Swimming to their Relief — Instructions for Restoring the ApparentlyDrowned, etc., etc pp. 401-422

Chapter XXI

Bright Work, Remarks on Cleaning Same — Stowage of Holds — Scraping Spars — Navy Yards and Naval Stations — National Holidays — Dressing Ship— Mourning — Paints, Stains, etc., etc. — Currency Tables pp. 423~43 6

Chapter XXII

Cutting and Fitting Rigging, as Practiced in a Rigging Loft — Beam Scale, etc., etc. — Preparation and Care ot Standing and Other Rigging pp. 437-449

Chapter XXIII

Definitions of Sea Terms, Expressions, etc., etc. — Definitions of Tides

ILLUSTRATIONS.

COLORED.

PAGE,

National ensigns for men-of-war 16-17

National ensigns for mercantile marine 18-19

International code of signals 1 9

American ensign 20

American union jack 20

American pennant .20

President's flag 20

Flag of the Secretary of the Navy 20

Fleet flags . 21

Signal flags and lights 22-24

Lights of vessels as seen at night 25

Signal Service Distinctive Flag 401

Signal Service Number 401

Cautionary Weather Signal 403

Cautionary Off- Shore Signal 404

CO

ILLUSTRATIONS.

NOT COLORED.

PAGn.

Anchors 346-347

Anchors, carrying out 373

Bowsprit, top and side view of 69

Boats, showing evolutions of crew 124-128

Boats, giving and taking a tow 130

Boats, towing alongside of vessel 131

Boat, hauling up on beach 146

Blocks 14S-157

Beam Scale 438

Caps, lower and topmast 67

Clinches 103

Compass, and parts of 174-177

Capstan, steam 344

Drowning, rescuing the . . . , 416

Dead-eyes, Healy's patent . 219-220

Drowned, restoring 418-419

Earing, bull 306

Earing, bull passed with riding turn 306

Earing head, passed 290

Gammoning 86

Garland and lashing 225

Hammock, properly slung 31

Hammock, hitches 32

Hitches 97-100

ILLUSTRATIONS. 3

Hooks 104

Hawsers . 17°

Hawse, foul 367-368

lack and funnel 68

Jib-boom, side view of 69

Knots 93-97

Ladders, Jacob's 89

Lead, deep sea . . 198

Log chip 202

Log reel . 203

Log, taffrail 205

Masts —

Lower mast, section of . . 64

Lower and topmast, doublings of 65

Lower mast, staying of . . . 245

Mooring swivel 369

Rigs, sea-going vessels —

Ship 41

Barque 43

Barquentine 43

Brigantine 42

Hermaphrodite biig 42

Double-turretted monitor 44

Topsail schooner 44

Fore-and-aft schooner 45

Sloop 45

Four-masted ocean steamer 45

Ropes 170

Rudder, section of vessel showing 188

Ratlines 248

Rigging, setting up lower 247

Rigging, setting up topmast 25 1

ILLUSTRATION?.

Signals, Fog • 3S7

Signals, general service code 6

Signals, homographic code > . 11

Sails —

Course . 75

Topsail 75

Topgallant sail 75

Jib ^ 81

Spanker 81

Slings 104

Splices 105-109

Seizings 110-114

Steering-gear, steam 186

Stranded vessel, establishing communication with shore 406

Screw, section of vessel showing 188

Sockets, metallic 221-222

Snaking down 251

Strap and toggle for laniards 246

Top, for-and-aft view of 71

Tackles 158-166

Time-glass 204

Tops, sending up whole 226

Tops, sending up half 228

Toggle and becket 306

Vards, section of lower and topsail r , 73

YOUNG SAILOR S ASSISTANT.

SIGNALS.

The figures on the opposite page will explain the "First position. " First motion" (or No. i), second motion (or No. 2), third motion, (or No. 3).

General Service Code — Army a?id Navy.

Flag. F/a?.

... 22

. . .2112

. . . 121

. . . 222

... 12

. . . 2221

. . .122

. . . 2121

. . . 221

. . . 1221

T 2

W I I 21

Y Ill

Signalman faces exactly communicating station — flag is held directly above the head — butt of staff at the waist.

Letters are signalled by making, one after the other, the following motions for the figures standing for each letter. When two or more figures follow each other, there is no pause between the motions of the figures : To make "one" [1] flag is waved to ground on right side,

and brought back above the head.

To make ".two " [2] flag is waved to ground on left side,

and brought back above the head.

'Two - One"-'?!? ( 6 ) * O/ie-Two- One-Tivo- "IZ22:

To make " three" [3] or front, flag is waved to ground in front, and brought back above the head.

So to make "A," or " twenty-two" [22], the flag is waved twice to the ground to the left without any stop between the motions — so for a number of " twos " following each other.

To make "N" [11], " one " "one," (as above).

To make "B," or "twenty-one twelve" [2112], the flag is waved to the ground, " left — right — right — left."

To make " K," or "twenty-one twenty-one" [2121], the flag is waved to the ground, "left — right — left — right."

To make "three " [3] flag waved front, to make " thirtythree " [33] — front — front. Error — 2 121 21. Repeat — 121-121-121-3. Assent — -22-22-22-3. End of word, 3. End of sentence, ^t,. End of message, ^^1,. Cease signaling — 22-22-22-333.

Move a little to the right, 211-211-211-3. Move a little to the left, 221-221-221-3. "Attention, look for signals from this point." Wave

the flag successively from side to side until attention is

attracted.

In a squadron, each vessel has its own particular letter to

distinguish it when being called for signals, for example :

The Flag-ship is usually "F" the " Portsmouth " " JP,"

" Saratoga" "S," etc., etc.

The flag is always above the head at the end of each

letter.

JWos. Numerals.

1. 21 1 12 also means, Wait a moment.

2. 1 2221 " " Are you ready?

:\ 22212 " " Use short pole and small flag.

YOUNG SAILOR S ASSISTANT.

22221 " '

12222 " '

IIII2 " '

TI2II " * o

22222 " *

A — after, b-

Use long pole and large flag.

Work faster.

Did you understand ?

Use white flag.

Use black flag.

Use red flag.

Abbreviations, -before, c — can, h — have, n — not, r — are, t — the, u — you, ur — your, w — word, wi — with, y — why.

Night Signals.

A lighted torch or lantern {foot light) is placed in front of, and at the feet of the signalman. Another light fastened at the end of a staff, is waved with precisely the same motions as those for the flag in the day.

TO SEND A MESSAGE.

General Service Code,

First call attention by waving the flag successively "from side to side, until it is answered by the opposite station, or make a vessel's signal letter until answered.

The answer will be 22-22-22-3, which is the general signal for assent, to signify that they are ready to receive the message. The communicating vessel or station then answers 22-22-22-3 signifying, " I see you are ready to receive the message/' and then proceeds to signal the message letter by letter. A pause is made at the end of each letter, with the flag at "first position" (see fig. \

At the end of each word the flag is waved to the feet directly in front (3d motion "3"), to show the word is finished. At the end of each sentence there is a pause, and the flag is waved directly to the front twice (" 33 ")

to show that the sentence is finished. At the end of a message the flag is waved to the ground three times directly in front C 333") showing that the message is finished.

When the signal 333 "end of message " is made, it indicates, "My communication is complete, and await your answer." The person receiving the message will, upon noticing the signal, "message complete, " if the message is understood, answer with the signal, "I understand," 22-22-22-3. If, however, the message or any part of it is not understood, the person receiving will make the signal for "Repeat" 121-121-121-3, after or before the word, (here signal the word after or before which the repeat is required). If no part of the message is understood, the signal "Repeat " is simply made alone as 121-121-121-3. In commencing a repetition of a signal, the sender will always commence by making the signal of "assent" or "I understand," 22-22-22-3, to show that the call for " repeat " is understood.

The "signal of assent " or "I understand" must be used at the commencement of all communications.

If in sending a message a mistake is made, make the error signal, 2 1-2 1-2 1-3. The sender then beginning with the letter in which has been the error, signals it correctly and proceeds with the message. Signal slowly and distinctly; do not attempt a too hurried way of making the letters, for confusion will follow and many repetitions be necessary.

The Roman letters may be used instead of the numeial characters 1, 2, 3, 4, etc., etc., for example; iv (or 1-1222) would stand for numeral 4, etc., etc.

A simple, convenient method is to use the first ten letters of the alphabet to represent the numerals, for example; A

IO YOUNG SAILOR S ASSISTANT.

(22) would stand for numeral 1. B(2ii2) would stand for numeral 2. C (121) would stand for numeral 3, etc., etc., etc. And to make 365 signal C. F. E. To make 123 signal A. B. C. To make 10 signal A. J. To make 12, signal A. B. To make 42, signal D. B., etc., etc.

When numerals occur in messages, and it is desired to send them va figures instead of words, the following signal will be made to indicate that numerals follow.

The flag being in the first position is dropped directly to the front, and then moved in a horizontal plane to the right until it reaches a point at right angles with the line of work, when pass it vertically over the head to a corresponding position on the left, then bring it tc the front horizontally and return it to the first position.

The signal for "numerals ended M is made in the same manner, only reversing the movements. These signals should always precede and follow numerals.

The signal for the "address of the message" is made thus : The flag being in the first position is dropped tothe front, and then waved twice as above described, in full circles to the right, passing vertically over the head, then resuming the first position.

The signal for the ''signing of the message" is made thus : The flag being in the first position is dropped to the front, and then waved as before described in full circles twice to the left, passing vertically over the head, then resuming the first position.

The " General Service Code " is intended to be used for general communication between different parties on land. or between vessels, or between vessels and parties on land. It is for the purpose of transmitting such messages only as may constantly occur in service, and concerning which it y MKAmr fn]

does not matter whether they are interpreted by the enemy or not.

Ciphers to be agreed upon by the different commanders, must always be used in the transmission of messages of importance, or for any communication which might give information to an enemy.

HOMOGRAPHIC SIGNALS.

There are for these signals one position and ten motions, (see figs, for position " ready/' and motions from i to o).

The signalman is equipped as follows : He holds in each hand a disk of canvas, one foot or eighteen inches in diameter, stretched upon a circle of strong wire, and having attached a handle for convenience of management. This handle may be of size only sufficient to be grasped by the hand, or it may be, to give greater distinctness to the signals, say two feet in length. Being thus equipped, take the first position of "ready" stand holding a disk in each hand, with the disks held together, andr at the height of the breast.

To make the first motion or "one," the right hand and disk are extended obliquely upward above the head, at arm's length, and on the right side, then returned to the first position.

To make the second motion or "two," the right hand and disk are extended horizontally, and at arm's length on the right side, then returned to the first position.

To make the third motion or "three," the right hand and disk are extended obliquely downward, at arm's length, and on the right side, then returned to the first position.

To make the fourth motion or " four," the left hand and disk are extended obliquely upward, at arm's length, and on the left side, then returned'to the first position.

YOUNG SAILOR S ASSISTANT.

To make the fifth motion or " five," the left hand and disk are extended horizontally, at arm's length, and on the left side, then returned to the first position.

To make the sixth motion or "six," the left hand and disk are extended obliquely downward, at arm's length, and on the left side, then returned to the first position.

To make the seventh motion or "seven," both hands and disks are extended obliquely upward above the head, at arm's length on both sides, then returned to the first position.

To make the eighth motion or "eight," both hands and disks are extended horizontally, at arm's length, on both sides, then returned to the first position.

To make the ninth motion or "nine," both hands and disks are extended obliquely downward, at arm's length, on both sides, then returned to the first position.

To make the tenth motion or "cipher," both hands and disks are held together at arm's length above the head, one disk covering the other, then returned to the first position".

The General Service Homographic Alphabet is as follows :

A

. ii

F .

. 12

• 14

U .

• *5

B

. 21

G .

. 22

. 24

W .

• 2 5

C

• 3 1

H .

• 32

• 34

X .

• 35

D

. . 41