International/Commercial Signal Book, 1857 - Royal Navy usage (original) (raw)

The 1857 International/Commercial Signal Book was used by the Royal Navy with a different set of flags"
"Signal flags ordered by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, to be used by British Men-of-War for communicating by the Commercial Code."

Code Signal. Pennant divided vertically red/white, five stripes. Also the Answering Pennant.
"When used as the Code Signal, this pennant is to be hoisted under the Ensign, when used as the Answering Pennant, where best seen."

B. Red triangular
C. White pennant with red disc. Also 'Affirmative'
D. White pennant with two black crosses. Also 'Negative'
F. Pennant divided vertically red/white/blue
G. Pennant divided vertically yellow/blue/yellow
H. Flag divided horizontally red/white
J. Flag divided horizontally blue/white, 5 stripes
K. Flag divided vertically yellow/blue
L. Flag quartered red/white
M. White flag with blue cross
N. Flag chequered yellow/blue X 9
P. Blue flag pierced with a white square
Q. White flag with five black crosses
R. Red flag with white cross
S. Flag divided diagonally bottom hoist to top fly, white/blue
T. Flag divided vertically red/white/blue
V. White flag with red border
W. Union Jack on white flag

[ ](../images/g/gb~rn857.jpg)
An illustration of the flags from �Flags and Signals of All Nations� by Hounsell Brothers.
David Prothero, 23 May 2015