The Crawford County herald. (Knoxville, Crawford Co., Ga.) 1890-189?, September 05, 1890, Image 8

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SEA SIGNALS. HOW VESSELS COMMUNICATE WITH ONE ANOTHER. Methods Used by Sailors in Ancient Times and the Earlier Signal Codes—The System in Uso at Present. Many different modes of communicating at sea have been tried with more or less success for hundreds of years, but not un¬ til 185G was a code of signals devised which met with universal approval—the same being known as the International Code. Before going into details regarding this latter system it may be well to re¬ view the various earlier methods of com¬ munication. History informs us that the fleets of ancient Greece, Persia and the Roman Empire used their sails as a means of conveying messages; special significance being attached to them when set, lowered or partially lowered. During the day they could thus be used to ad¬ vantage, but at night tires or flaming torches were customary. These rude methods, with others equally as simple, were in vogue for centuries, but no at¬ tempt to formulate a system appears to have been made until about the year 1665, when King James of England is¬ sued a signal code applicable to the fleets of the kingdom and for partial use on land. Flags of different colors were used, each representing a letter of the alpha¬ bet, and when shown in different combi¬ nations expressed sentences already de¬ termined upoD, being especially adapted to the maneuvering of ships. Without elaborating, it may be said that the sys¬ tem, in the process of development, be¬ came so complicated with the many changes that a radical improvement it was deemed necessary. Nevertheless con¬ tinued in use, and it was not until about 1800 that a new code was adopted in England, known as Lord Howe’s code, al¬ though devised by a Mr. McArthur. It contained but thirteen flags, but by differ¬ ent combinations it was possible to make nearly 20,000 signals. The first United States code was adopt¬ ed in 1795, and consisted of tweuty-six flags, representing each a letter of the alphabet. Several pennants for use in special cases were also provided. A dictionary to accompany this code and explanatory of it, was not issued until 1816, and then was quite faulty in having no definite and determined method. No change for the better, however, was made until 1846, when Mr. Rogers, then Superintendent of Tele¬ graphs, offered the navy department a well devised system, by which, with fourteen flogs, nearly 14,000 signals could be made. The signal book, or diction¬ ary, which fully explained the code, followed a regular method and the system •prang into favor. In the meantime, the English Government had tried and abandoned many codes, among which may be mentioned the admiralty codes of 1808 and 1826, Roper’s code of 1828 and that of Phillips of 1836. After our navy department had adopted Mr. Rogers’s code, England recognized its superiority and it was in use there until the adoption of Marryat’s code in 1854. This latter code was generally used, not only by British vessels, but by those of other nations. It was on the 2d of July, 1855, that the British Board of Trade appointed a committee “to inquire inlo and report upon the subject of a code of signals, to be used at sea.” This committee, after sitting over a year, examining all pre¬ viously published codes, receiving sug¬ gestions and making changes, finally agreed upon and urged the adoption of the present international code of signals. This code, as its name implies, is in¬ tended for use by the ships of all nations. It contains the elements of a universal maritime language, and has been adopted, translated and published by all principal nations for the use of their ivar ships and merchant marine. The original arrangement of the code •ignals being strictly adhered to in all cases, and an entirely similar set of sig¬ nal-flags itfis or other symbols being always used, quite practicable for any two vessels of different nationalities, whether war or merchant, to communicate intel¬ ligibly by precise signal equivalents in their different languages, even when neither understand the language spoken by the other. For symbols, eighteen consonants of the alphabet are used, each being represented by a flag. Of the flags, one is a burgee or swallow-tail standing for the letter B, while four pen¬ nants represent C, D, F, and G; the re¬ maining flags being square and named after the other consonants. There is also a flag known as the code-pennant, which is used as the code-signal and answering flag. Every flag has a distinguishing color or colors. It is possible by the use of these flags, in different combinations, to express nearly eighty thousand words or sen¬ tences. The signal book which accom¬ panies this system is most comprehensive, and admirably suited for the purpose in¬ tended. Its arrangement is so simple, and references are so easily made, that any person of ordinary intelligence may use it. It presents, first, signals made with two flags, and divides them into attention signals, compass signals and danger sig¬ nals. Then follow all three-flag signals, expressing latitude, longitude, time, nu¬ meral and ordinary signals required for communications. Thirdly, four-flag sig- nals, divided into geographical signals, spelling and vocabulary signals, names of men-of-war, and revenue cutters and merchant vessels. The flags are furnished to all govern¬ ment vessels and life-saving stations, but merchantmen must supply their own. During the late war the United States navy used a special code of signals, which was changed from time to time in order to make it still more puzzling. The books explaining the signals were closely guarded and never shown to strangers their or others not directly interested in use. Each book had a sheet of lead riveted to the cover on the inside, and in case of capture or abandonment of the vessel, was ordered to be thrown overboard at once, to prevent it from falling into the hands of the enemy. The naval engage¬ ment in Mobile Buy, the capture of Fort Fisher, and other important actions were carried on by means of signals, each manoeuvre being first determined upon by the flag ship. signal It is to be observed that flags are for use only when their colors are discernable, either with the eye or by the aid of glasses. For signaling at a great distance the distant signals have been adopted for the international code, comprising different combinations of three symbols, namely: a ball, a square or rectangular flag and a triangular pen¬ nant. Substitutes for these, to be used when the former are not available, may be a handkerchief for the flag, an oar or spar for the pennant and a bucket for the ball. Different combinations of these three symbols represent the eighteen consonants already enumerated, and the same book and tables are used in inter¬ preting their meaning. Other signals used for special purposes are known as boat, coast, weather, sema¬ phore and night signals. Mycr’s code, adopted by the United States army and signal corps, may often be used to advan¬ tage at sea between government vessels, communication being carried on by means of flags by day and lanterns by night. The Costou night signals are in general use, being ignited by percussion and held in the hand by the holder when burning. Their colors are very brilliant and are discernible at a great distance, their order of burning determining their significance. The navy, revenue cutter service and all the great steamship lines have their dis¬ tinguishing Coston signal. For instance, red-white-green denotes that the vessel burning such signal is a revenue cutter. Red, the danger signal, in use by the life-saving service, has warned '‘many strange vessels off our coasts, saving them from mishap and perhaps total loss. Our storm and wind direction signals, adopted by the Weather Bureau, are too well known to need further explanation. They may be seen in all seaports, places on the great lakes and many inland cities, and are much depended upon by marin¬ ers and others for the faithful warnings they convey.—Detroit Free Press. Kangaroos For America. We are assured on what seems good authority that the project of importing kangaroos into this country is seriously entertained by several enthusiastic and wealthy sportsmen of the West. The animals have been successfully accli¬ mated in England and France, and we are assured that there is no reason why they should not thrive here. The prac¬ tical extinction of the buffalo has left the plains without any big gsme of im¬ portance, and experienced sportsmen de¬ clare that hunting the kangaroo, as practiced in Australia, is second in ex¬ citement and in interest only to killing the buffalo. The scheme is not without commercial importance, Kangaroo leather is a very valuable product and the animals breed rapidly. The pro¬ moters hope to be privileged to introduce the new game at the beginning of the warm season in the Yellowstone Bark, and so insure them for a few years Gov¬ ernment protection and immunity from senseless sportsmen.— Helena ( Mon ,) In¬ dependent. Silk Veneering. Silk veneering is a new method of ar¬ tistic decoration which is applicable to wall adornment, and to many forms of decoration which have heretofore been given over to hand painting. The silk, satin or whatever material may be used, is drawn tightly and smoothly over the table top, panel or other surface to be decorated, and coated repeatedly with transparent varnish. The varnish com¬ pletely fills up the interstices in the weave of the material, so that after the last coat is applied the appearance of a woven fabric has been lost, and the de¬ sign and general color of the background only appears. The silk used may bo a plain color and afterward decorated with a flower spray, or figurepiece painted upon it; Or cretonne, or even four-cent calico in which the colors are fastened, may be used.— Commercial Ad¬ vertiser. Lightning Makes Mincemeat of a Troe During a recent storm at Playford Suffolk, England, a poplar tree was struct by lightning, und the bark was com¬ pletely stripped from top to bottom, the southern half of the trunk being riven into match wood. One piece, five and one-half pounds in weight, was picked up 126 yards away from the tree, and the splinters covered about two acres of land .—Hew York Post. The elm tree planted in Nashville, Temi., by General Lafayette, in 1824, is dying from neglect. CRAWFORD SHERIFF'S SALES. PEOKBIA-GKAWf URD 11" u Pickens Yarbrough, administrator of Mrs. X. R. Causey, deceased, has ap¬ plied to me for letters of dismissory from his admministration on the estate of said deceased. This is therefore to cite all persons concerned to show cause, if any they can, before me on the lirst Monday in October next, why such letters shoul i not be granted applicant. June 30, 1890. O. P. Wright, Ord’v.^ pEOKU lA—C rawford Uouhiy. —A. |3C. Banders and James M. Sunders, executors of the will ofThos. J. Sanders, deceased, have applied to me for letters dismissory from their executorship; therefore all persons concerned are here¬ by required to show cause, if any they nave, on the first Monday in May next, why such letters should not be granted. Witness my hand officially, January 27th, 1690. Q. P. WRIGHT, Jan. 81—13t Ordinary. |"*LOii(iiA— Crawford County.— |3James A. Moore and John I. Cham¬ pion, executors of James Roberts, de¬ ceased, have upplied to me for letters of dismission from their executorship. Un¬ less good objections are filed* I will graut them letters dismissory on the first Monday in June, 1890. Witness my hand officially this the 4th day of March, 1890. O. P. WRIGHT, Ordinary. OEORG1A, Crawford Colntt— W. U P Blasingame, administrator o f Mary A. Bryce, deceased, has administra¬ applied to me for dismission from his tion on the estate of the said deceased, and this is to cite all persons cobcerncd to show cause, if any they have, before me, on or before the first Monday in Oc¬ tober next, why letters dismissory should not be granted applicant. Witness my hand officially. This June 30th. 1890. O. P. WRIGHT, Ordinary. i^rUSTKHA, xJX T'rawford administrator Cocntt—J. W. Mathews, of es¬ tate of James N. Mathews, deceased, has applied to me for dismission from his ad¬ ministration on said estate. This is, therefore, to notify all persons concerned that the said J. W. Mathews will be granted lettere dismssory on the first Mon¬ day in October next, unless good objec¬ tions are filed. Witness my hand offi¬ cially, this the 7th dav of Julv, 1890. O. P. WRIGHT, Ordinary. _ OEORGIA—Crawford County. 13 Will be sold beforo the court house door in the town of Knoxville on tbefirsi Tuesday in September next within the legal hours of sale, for cash, the following lands, Iriltt:. situat a and being in the sec¬ ond (2d)*distriet □ f originally Houston, now Crawford county, towit: Lots num¬ bers one hundred and thirty-six, one hundred and thirty-seven, one* hundred and twenty-one, one hundred and fifty- two and one hundred and fifty-three (136, 137, 121, 152 and 153). All lying in one body and containing one thousand and twelve and one-half acres, more or less. Levied on as the prop* rty of C. B. Colbert to satisfy a mortgage ti fa issued from the Superior court of said county in favor of J. W. Coombs against said C. B. Colbert and against said lands. Ten- int in possession notified. July 28th, 1890. B. A. Hartley, Sheriff. GEORGIA. — Crawford County |j M. F. Jordan has applied to me for letters of administration on the estate of E. T. Jordan deceased. This is there¬ fore to cite all persons concerned to show cause if any they have by the first Mon¬ day in September next, why said appli¬ cation should not be granted. Witness my hand officially, July 28, 1890. O. P. Wright, t-rdiuitxx^ _ pEORGIA, 13 Mrs. J. CRAWFORD B. Lowe, administratrix COUNTY.— of John W. Lowe, deceased, has in due form applied to me for leave to sell a small portion of the land belonging to the estate of said deceased; this is to cite all persons concerned to show cause before me on or before the first Monday in October next, if any they have, why such leave should not be granted appli¬ cant. Witness my baud officially, this September 1st, 1890. O. R. Wright, Ordinary. ATLANTA i FLORIDA R R. TIME TABI.E. S UTH BerND NORTH B 'USD NO. 5.| NO. 1. NO, 2. XO. 6. 8 OOo 8 00p Lv.. .Atlanta .. .Ar 10 20a in 40 T3 12 27p ( 5 OSp ....Williamson ... 8 15« tz 25 ..Topeka Colloden. 312p 6 23p .Muaella. |......J...... 6 55a 11 4L& 4 ................Gaillunl. 17pi • 53p .... Knoxville, 6 24i>'10 37a ..............Live Oak......... 45ai 5 40p 7 SOolAr.For Valiev.Lvi 5 8 30a Train* No. 1 and 2 run daily. Nos. 5 an 1 6 run tri-week y. Going north oh Tues lavg. Thursdays and Saturdays, and goin{ •oath on Mondays, Wednesday* anl Fridars. T. W. GAUGE IT, M. H. Carfes, Gko. Supe'inendcnt. Howakd, P. Agent Knoxville. F. and P. Agent. DR.W.F. BLASINGAME DBNTIST, Knoxville, - - Georgia. I respectfully tender my services in the Practice of Dentistry to the citizens of Knoxville and surrounding country, and will spare no effort to secure my patron* com potent work and perfect satisfaction. t® r "Charges Seasonable. ____ WRIGHT. TV. p; il.LEa, T. ii. WRIGHT & ALLEN, -Dl.Ai.Lno tt*- "r-i l v T>T'rj TXT In- . Dry Goods, Shoes, Groceries, Hats, HARDWARE AND PLANTATION SUPPLIES, We can furnish you with High CradJ fertilizers, the best on the market. Try them. Best quality Corn, Hay, Oats, Bran Our stock of Ladies’ Goods is complete, and we extend a cordial invitation to call and inspect You win. be pleused with what we have VUN ■ vi to show you. B. B. RAl ROBERT COLEMAN. COLEMAN * RAY Mod Factors and Comisslofl fetal _dealers in- rocerles, Provisions, Planters’ Supplies and Fertilizer, 3 VI-A-CO IN’, GBORGrlA. Buggies, Ac.,i We also full line of Groceries, Bagging, Tics, AVagons, carry a G-EORGrIA. KNTOXVIXjI^Et tSLiu business at Knoxville, which is 1 c°t3. We solicit Peonage „ M Macon and Knoxville. I SBAIjERS in dry GOODS, NOTIONS, GROCER. IES, HARDWARE CORN, FLOUR, hay, oats, bran and plan¬ tation SUPPLIES WE HAVE A COMPLETE SUPPLY OF Ladies’ Dress Goods, Hosery and Millinery, Agr icultural Implements, Ice We extend a cordial invitation to ail, and the Ladies especially, to call and examine our stock. Our Prices will Compete with Macon & Atlanta MUSELLA, GA. IT FINE MILLINERY, My Stock of FALL MILLINERY is now beautiful, and will soon be complete. I have a nice line of NOTIONS ut the lowest prices. My Stock of GLASSWARE, CLOCKS AND JEWELRY Are remarkably cheap, and if you see them, you will be compelled to buy. DRESS-MAKING A SPECIALTY, And all pains taken, and every effort made to give satisfaction. For convenience o some of my customers, I will have a full lot of MILLINERY, NOTIONS, Ac., 4 the depot by the 15th. I cordially invite all the ladies to call aad see my Stock. 6m MRS. M. B. PIERCE- JOB PRINTING OF EVERY DESCRIPTION NEATLY EXECUTED AT THIS OFFICE. Orders Will Receive Prompt Attention t GIVE US A TRIAL!