“WIGWAG” CODE.  UNITED STATES NAVAL CODE FOR VISUAL AND
TELEGRAPHIC
SIGNALLING.

ALPHABET.

A 22
B 2112
C 121
D 222
E 12
F 2221
G 2211
H 122
I 1
J 1122
K 2121
L 221
M 1221
N 11
O 21
P 1212
Q 1211
R 211
S 212
T 2
U 112
V 1222
W 1121
X 2122
Y 111
Z 2222

NUMERALS. 1 1111 2 2222 3 1112 4 2221 5 1122 6 2211 7 1222 8 2111 9 1221 0 2112

ABBREVIATIONS.

a after. b before. c can. h have. n not. r are. t the. u you. ur your. w word. wi with. y why.

x x 3 = “numerals follow” or “numerals end.” sig. 3 = signature. 3 = End of word. 33 = End of sentence. 333 = End of message. 22, 22, 3 = I understand.

The complete number opposite each letter or numeral stands for that letter or numeral.

Example:  The signal sent by Commodore Schley’s flagship “Brooklyn” that memorable 3d of July—­

T H E E N E M Y’ S F L E E T 2, 122, 12 3 12, 11, 12, 1221, 111, 212 3 2221, 221, 12, 12, 2, 3 L, RLL, RL D RL, RR, RL, RLLR, RRR, LRL D LLLR, LLR, RL, RL, L, D

I S C O M I N G O U T O F 1, 212 3 121, 21, 1221, 1, 11, 2211 3 21, 112, 2 3 21, 2221 R, LRL D RLR, LR, RLLR, R, RR, LLRR D LR, RRL, L D LR, LLLR

H A R B O R. 122, 22, 211, 2112, 21, 211, 333.  RLL, LL, LRR, LRRL, LR, LRR, DDD.

R = Right = 1.  L = Left = 2.  D = Drop = 3.

NIGHT SIGNALLING.

The lights in the Ardois system—­named after its inventor—­sometimes called “shroud lights,” are placed well up on the foremast.  They are red and white electric bulbs.  There are four of each placed in a line one above the other, in groups of two—–­ a red and white bulb together.  Unlike the “wigwag” system, the whole letter is shown at once.

The code is the same as the “wigwag.”  One is indicated by a red light, two by white, and three by the combination, white, white, red and white.

Both systems may be mastered very easily by a little painstaking practice, and much amusement may be had through the mystification of those who do not understand it.  A “wigwag” flag may be easily made by sewing a white square of muslin in the centre of a red bandana handkerchief.

The best method of learning this system is to send simple messages, looking up the letters that there is any doubt about, and correcting mistakes as you go along.

APPENDIX.

NAVY CODE FLAGS.

Messages sent by the navy code flags cannot be read except by the aid of the code book.  There are ten numeral flags—­1 to 9, and one for 0.  All messages are made up by means of these ten flags headed by the code flag (whether it be geographical, telegraph, or navy list).