Signal Letters

Bibliography

Code Lists

… The commercial code of signals, for the use of all nations; with the British vocabulary. Comp. by John T. Forster, master R.N., edited by Walter F. Larkins, esq. of the Board of trade, Second edition.
Printed by G.E. Eyre and W. Spottiswoode, amd publ. by W. Mitchell, London, 1859. 24,5 cm, xxxv, (2), 338 pp, incl. frontisp.,ill., col. plates.
The Commercial code of signals was first prepared and published in April 1857, in accordance with the views and recommendation of the committee appointed by the Board of treade, in July 1855, "to inquire into and report upon the subject of a code of signals to be used at sea" cf p iii.
The names and official numbers of British merchant ships are published annually in a separate volume, called The mercantile navy list cf p xxiii.
… The commercial code of signals, for the use of all nations: Rogers' American edition and flags, with the British vocabulary. Edited by Henry J. Rogers, esquire, inventor of the American marine signals,and Walter F. Larkins, esquire, of the British Board of trade.
Printed by G.E. Eyre and W. Spottiswoode, London; H.J. Rogers & Co., Baltimore, 1859. 24,5 cm, xxxix, (2), 338 pp, incl. frontisp., ill., col. plates.
The Commercial Code of Signals for the Use of All Nations, 1857, 1859, 1861, 1864, 1868.
Larkins, Walter F. ed.: The Commercial Code of Signals for the use of all nations (revised & corrected).
[c1870]. xxii, 252 pp, xiv pp adv., 5 col. plates.
Part 1: Signal letters; Part 2: Vocabulary; Part 3: Distant signals; Electro-Telegraphic semaphore & signal stations; boat signals; Collision regulations; Stormwarning signals; Liverpool signals.
The New International Code, 1899, . . .
Elford, James M.: Universal Signal Book ... with Improvements Adapted to the Vessels of the United States of America. 1818.
Elford, James M.: J.M. Elford's Marine Telegraph; or, Universal Signal Book. Second Edition.
Boston, 1832.
(Elford, James M.): J.M. Elford's Marine Telegraph; or, Universal Signal Book. So composed as to enable vessels at sea, provided with only two sets of the six telegraphic flags, described in the plate, to make 7569 signals; (1387 of which are particularly specified in this book for the merchant service; and to act as telegraphs to each other: which may be used by every nation, and understood by all without difficulty or complexity. Being, also, the key to the patent telegraph, invented by the author, capable of making 9330 progressive changes, by using the figures from 1 to 6 only.
Published and sold by James M. Elford … Printed by Archibald E. Miller, Charleston, SC, 1823. 23 cm, xvi, 17-75 pp, fp, tables.
References: NUC.
Elson, S.R.: Nytt system för International signalering med flaggor.
TiS årg. 49, Karlskrona, 1886. pp 110-117, 1 pl.
Hudson & Smith: Signal Book for Boston Harbour, 1845.
Figsbee, Alfonso: The Maritime Flags and Standards of all Nations ... and Rodger's Signals as they Appear in Calm and Storm.
New York, 1856. 12mo, (c80) pp, 34 leaves of coloured flags. [Check NUC!]
Marryat, Frederick: A Code of Signals for the Use of Vessels Employed in the Merchant Service.
London, 1817 (1st).
Other editions: 1818 (2nd), 1820 (3rd), 1826 (4th), 1837 (6th), 1840 (7th), 1841 (8th), 1844 (9th), 1847 (10th), 1851 (11th), 1854 (12th), 1856, 1858, 1861, 1864, 1866, 1869, 1879. The title of later editions was changed to the Universal Code of Signals.
Marryat, Frederick: A Code of Signals for the Use of Vessels Employed in the Merchant Service; including a cypher for secret correspondence. Dedicated to the Committee of the Society of Ship-Owners of the Port of London. Second edition. To which is added, A list of the agents to Lloyd's.
Printed by Hughes & Baynes, sold by J.M. Richardson, Cornhill; Blachford, Tower-Hill; and by all booksellers, London, 1818 (2nd). 27 cm, (90) pp, fold. col. plates.
References: NUC.
Marryat, Frederick: A Code of Signals for the Use of Vessels Employed in the Merchant Service; including a cypher for secret correspondence. By Captain Marryat … Fourth edition to which is added, A list of the agents to Lloyd's.
J.M. Richardson, London, 1826 (4th). 26 cm, (140) pp, ill.
References: NUC.
Marryat, Frederick: A Code of Signals for the Use of Vessels Employed in the Merchant Service …
J.M. Richardson, London, 1841 (8th). 8vo.
Marryat, Frederick: Sea Signals Assimilated, Containing Observations on the Mode and Utility of Signalling at Sea. Showing how the Flags of Marryat's Code can be Available for the Commercial Code for the Use of all Nations.
London, (1857). 8vo.
Marryat, Frederick: The Universal Code of Signals for the Mercantile Marine of All Nations, by the late Captain Marryat, R.N., with a selection of sentences adopted for Convoys, and Systems of Geometrical Signals. By G.B. Richardson.
Richardson brothers, London, 1854 (12th). 24,5 cm, viii, (328) pp, col. plates (1 fold.).
Marryat, Frederick: The Universal Code of Signals for the Mercantile Marine of All Nations, by the late Captain Marryat, R.N., with a selection of sentences adopted for convoys, and systems of geometrical, night & fog signals. By G.B. Richardson.
Richardson brothers, London, 1856. 24,5 cm, col. plates.
Marryat, Frederick: The Universal Code of Signals for the Mercantile Marine of All Nations, by the late Capt. Marryat; with a list of yachts and a selection of
Sentences adapted for Convoys and a Systems of Geometrical, Night and Fog Signals. By G.B. Richardson.
London, 1866. 8vo.
Marryat, Frederick: Code universel de Signaux à l'usage des navires du commerce de toutes les nations, … avec un recueil de phrases à l'usage des convois, et systèmes de signaux géometriques, de nuit, et de brume, par G.B. Richardson.
Londres, 1862. 8vo.
Marryat, Frederick: Code universel de Signaux à l'usage des navires du commerce de toutes les nations, … avec un recueil de phrases à l'usage des convois, et systèmes de signaux géometriques, de nuit, et de brume, par G.B. Richardson.
Londres, 1866. 8vo.
Marryat, Frederick: Codice universali di Signali ad uso dei bastimenti mercantili di tutti le nazioni, …
Londra, (1862). 8vo.
Marryat, Frederick: Codice universali di Signali ad uso dei bastimenti mercantili di tutti le nazioni, …
Londra, (1866). 8vo.
Marryat, Frederick: Einfacher nautischer Telegraph für die freie hanseatische Seeschifffahrt … Zur Beförderung des "Codes of Signals" von Capt. F. Marryat … Von einem Seefahrer. Mit einem Anhange und einer colorirten Tafel.
Bremen, 1843. 8vo.
Marryat, Frederick: Langue Télégraphique Univeselle. Code de Signaux adopté par les marines marchands de France et d'Angleterre … Nouvelle édition … augmentée: rédigée par M. Luscombe.
Paris, 1840. 8vo.
Marryat, Frederick: Additional signals to Marryat's Code, for the use of the Lintin fleet.
"The Courier" Press, Canton, 1832. 8vo.
Reference: BM.
Marryat, Frederick: The Chian Coast Signal Book, being an addenda to Marryat's The Universal Code: for the use of vessels trading on the coasts of China and Japan, with flags arranged both for the commercial & universal signals.
"North-China Herald" Office, Shanghai, 1873. 8vo, xvi, 57 pp, 3 plates.
Reference: BM.
Marryat, Frederick: Sea Signals assimilated … Showing how the Flags of Marryat's Code can be made available for the Commercial Code for the use of all nations, …
London, (1857). 8vo.
Reference: BM.
(Marryat, Frederick): Codigo de signaes telegraficos pelo capitao da marinha brittanica Manado traduzir em vulgar pela Associação commercial do Porto.
Typ. Commercial do Porto, Porto, (1839). 26 cm, One volume of unpaginated col. plates. Translation of A code of signals for the use of vessels employed in the merchant service.
Parker, John R.: American Signal Book, or, The United States Telegraph Vocabulary, Being and Appendix to Elford's Marine Telegraph Signal Book. Boston, 1832.
(Parker, John R.): Boston Harbor Signal Book.
(Boston), (1841?). 24 cm, 22 pp. Includes Marine Telegraph Register 1840. Addenda to January, 1841. One leaf at the end. First published as a supplement to his: The United States telegraphic vocabulary, Boston, 1832.
Parker, John R.: Marine telegraph.
Boston, 1827, Broadside, 17"7/8×13"7/8. One sheet illustrating the use of Elford's code of marine signals, with a list of the vessels registered at the Boston station, with their numbers.
Parker, John R.: The New Semaphoric Signal Book, in three parts: containing the marine telegraph system, with the appendix, the United States telegraph vocabulary, and embracing the Holyhead signals. To which is annexed the Boston harborsignal book. The whole adapted to the use of the semaphoric telegraph ….
Printed by Light and Stearns, Boston, 1836. 23 cm, frontisp., x, 11-40, 138, 19, 4 pp, ill. (part. col.).
Parker, John R.: The New Semaphoric Signal Book, in three parts: containing the marine telegraph system, with the appendix, the United States telegraph vocabulary, embracing Marryat's telegraph signal numbers, as adopted by the British and French governments, and Lloyd's coffee house, London, and used at the Liverpool and Holyhead telegraph stations, the whole adpated to the use of the semaphoric telegraph, and marine telegraph flags … Second Edition.
Printed by Kidder & Wright, 1841. 24 cm, frontisp., vi, 6-89, 117-166, (2), 15 pp, 2 col. plates.
Parker, John R.: The New Semaphoric Signal Book ... Embracing Marryat's Telegraphic Signal Numbers. Second Edition. Boston, 1841.
Parker, John R.: … The Semaphoric Telegraph …
(Boston?), (1837). 28×22 cm, (4) pp, ill.
Parker, John R.: Semaphoric Telegraph marine telegraph register to April, 1838.
(Boston?), 1838.
Parker, John R.: A treatise upon telegraphs, embracing observations upon the semaphoric system; with a few remarks upon the utility of the marine telegraph flags.
Kidder & Wrights, printers, Boson, 1842. 21,5 cm, 16 pp.
Parker, John R.: A treatise upon the semaphoric system of telegraphs.
Boston, (1838). 22 cm, frontisp., 16 ppm, (2) pp, col. plates.
Parker, John R.: A treatise upon the telegraphic sience, with some remarks upon the utility of telegraphs, and a comparative view of the advantages of the numerical system over the l-e-t-t-e-r-i-n-g plan, as adapted to the semaphoric telegraph.
Dutton and Wentworh, Boston, 1835. 20,5 cm, frontisp., 16 pp, ill.
Parker, John R.: The United States telegraph vocabulary; being an appendix to Elford's Marine telegraph signal book. Containing above twelve thousand arbitrary significations, in which are embraced on the same page to each word, phrase, or sentence, the Holyhead and marine telegraph numerals. Adapted to the use of the new semaphoric telegraph. To which is added the Boston harbor signal book.
The Steam Power Press Office, Boston, 1832. 24 cm, (2), 132, 15 pp, ill., 3 plates (1 col.).
De Reynold-Chauvaney, C.: Code-Reynold. Télégraphique nautique polyglotte internationale réglementaire pour les bâtiments de guerre et de commerce français …
Paris, [1855 (2nd)].
Paris, 1856 (3rd).
Also translated into English 1857 (2nd), German 1860 (1st), Danish 1860 (1st), Russian 1860 (1st).
Rogers, Henry J.: The Telegraph Dictionary, and Seaman's Signal Book, adapted to signals by flags or other semaphores; and arranged for secret correspondence, through Morse's electro-magnetic telegraph: for the use of commanders of vessels, merchants, &c.
F. Lucas Jr, Baltimore, (c1845). 23 cm, frontisp., x (2), xi, xii, (2), 11-334 pp, 4 fplates (3 col.).
Rogers, Henry J.: Rogers' semaphoric telegraph and boat signals.
Washington, 1864.
Rogers, Henry J.:Roger's and Black's American Semaphoric Signal Book.
Baltimore, (1847).
Rogers, Henry J.:Roger and Black's American Semaphoric Signal Book, for the use of vessels employed in the United States naval, revenue and merchant service. Second edition, revised and corrected.
F. Lucas jr., Baltimore, (c1855). 24 cm, (6), v-xix, (2), 11-334 pp, col. ill., 3 col. plates.
Published in 1845 under the title: The telegraphic dictionary and seamen's signal book …
Rogers, Henry J.:Roger's and Black's Marine Roll, or List of the Names of the Permanently Registered and Enrolled Vessels above Twenty Tons, Comprising the Mercantile Marine of the United States; Furnished for the American Semaphoric Signal Book, by authority of the Treasury department.
F. Lucas, Jr., Baltimore, (1847).
Rogers, Henry J.: American Code of Signals for the Use of Vessels Employed in the Merchant Service. Blunt, New York, 1854.
Rogers, Henry J.: Roger's American Code of Marine Signals, designed for communicating important information between vessels at sea and off the coast, during periods of calms, light winds, storms, or rough waether.
H.J. Rogers & Co., Baltimore, 1855 (2nd). 24 cm, frontisp., 6, (2), ix-xx, 217 pp, ill., col. plates.
Antother issue of the second edition is dated 1856. The first edition was published under the title: The American code of signals for the use of vessels employed in the merchant service.
Rogers, Henry J.: The American code of signals for the use of vessels employed in the merchant service.
E. & G.W. Blunt, New York, 1854 (1st). 24 cm, col. frontisp., (6), v-xvi, 215 pp, ill., col. plates.
Rogers, Henry J.: American telegraph system, semaphoric as well as magnetic. American semaphore or marine signals, connected with the electro-magnetic telegraph.
Rogers & Black, Boston, np, 1846. 25×,14 cm, 4 pp.
Rogers, Henry J.: Life saving signal book.
1855.
Rogers, Henry J.: Rogers' life-saving signal book: or, Appendix to the American code; for the use of life-boat stations and vessels in distress, also for making international communications between vessels of different nations, at sea, or off the coast, durin periods of calms, light winds, storms, or rough weather.
H.J. Rogers & Co., Baltimore; E.&G.W. Blunt, New York, (c1856). 23,5 cm, (6), v-viii, 9-70 pp, 3 col. plates.
Rogers, Henry J.: Roger's American Code of Marine Signals, ... Second Edition. Baltimore, 1856. Second title page: Roger's Marine Telegraphic List of Merchant Vessels of 150 Tons and Upwards, .... New York, 1856.
Rogers, Henry J.: Roger's Marine telegraphic list of merchant vessels … furnished for the American code of signals, by direction of the Hon. James Guthrie, … Arranged and compiled by Henry J. Rogers.
E. & G.W. Blunt, New York, 1855. Frontisp. [?], viii, (1), 119, (1) pp.
Rogers, Henry J.: Roger's Marine telegraphic list of merchant vessels of 150 tons and upward, employed in the commerce of the United States; furnished for the American code of signals, by direction of the Hon. James Guthrie, … Arranged and compiled by Henry J. Rogers.
E. & G.W. Blunt, New York, 1856. 24,5 cm, col. frontisp., viii, 120 pp.
Rohde, Levin J.: Fullständigt Signal-System till bruk för alla Nationers Skepp såväl om dagen som om natten, med de medel allenast, som finnas ombord i hvarje faryg, utan anskaffande af något nytt. Joh. Hörberg, Stockholm, 1836. 8vo, xx, 256 pp, 3 fold. plates. This work was translated from the original Danish into Dutch, English, French, German, Spanish, and Swedish.
Squire, N.: The Universal Signal Book, Containing a Complete Code of Signals for the Use of Merchants' Ships of All Nations, …
Plymouth, 1816. 8vo.
Squire, N.: The Universal Signal Book, Containing a Complete Code of Signals for the Use of Merchants' Ships of All Nations, by N. Squire. With improvements adapted to the vessels of the United States of America, by James M. Elford
Printed for and sold by James M. Elford, Charleston, SC, 1818.
References: NUC.
Taber, Augustus: New-Bedford and Fairhaven Signal Book. New Bedford, 1845.
Watson, B.L.: Code of Signals for the Merchant Service, 1826-1842 (six editions).

General Works

Berggren, Brit: Identifisering av fartøyportretter. Norsk Sjøfartsmuseum 1973, Oslo, 1974. pp 73-100, ill. Summary: The identification of ship portraits;
Brewington, M.V.: Signal Systems and Ship Identification The American Neptune Vol. 3 (1943), pp 205-221, ill.
Gordon, W.J.: Flags of the World, 1915.
Henningsen, Henning: Nummerflag og prajning. Handels- og Søfartsmuseet på Kronborg. Årbog 1962, Helsingør, nd. pp 150-167, ill. Summary: Numeral Flags and Hailing.
Holland, L.E.: The Development of Signalling in the Royal Navy. Mariner's Mirror Vol. 39, London, 1953. pp 5-26, 1 plates.
Peacock, A.: International Code Flags. The Mariner's Mirror Vol. 48, London, 1962. pp 312-313.

It is my hope that someone more versed in the art of vexillogy than I continues this important and interesting thread.

Updated 1998-08-18 by Lars Bruzelius

Sj�historiska Samfundet | The Maritime History Virtual Archives | Bibliography.