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On
Yacht Etiquette:
WHAT TO DO, AND HOW TO DO IT. COURTESIES,
DISCIPLINE, CEREMONIES AND ROUTINE FOR
ANY AND ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.
DUTIES OF OFFICERS, ETC.
BY
CAPTAIN HOWARD PATTERSON,
_Principal of the New York Nautical College,
Formerly Commander of the New York School Ship “St. Mary’s”,
Master of Various Sail and Steam Yachts,
and Admiral of the Haytien Navy._
AUTHOR OF
_The Navigator’s Pocket Book_; _Yachting Under American Statute_; _The
Illustrated Nautical Encyclopedia_; _The Yachtsman’s Kedge Anchor_;
_Yacht Sails_; _Hand Book for Masters and Mates_, _etc._
REVISED EDITION.
NEW YORK AND LONDON;
THE RUDDER PUBLISHING COMPANY
1903
COPYRIGHT, 1903,
BY
CAPTAIN HOWARD PATTERSON
PRESS OF
THOMSON & CO.
9 MURRAY ST.,
NEW YORK.
TO
HOWARD GOULD, ESQ.,
(NEW YORK YACHT CLUB)
THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED BY HIS FRIEND,
THE AUTHOR.
PREFACE
It is to be understood that the owner of the yacht is styled as
“Captain” throughout this treatise, and it is eminently proper that
this should be, as the Government prescribes that the owner of a yacht
is entitled to take out her custom house and other papers as the lawful
and legalized “Master” of his vessel.
It being impracticable to follow out naval rules strictly in the
matter of salutes, courtesies, ceremonies, etc., a modification of the
same has been arranged which will cover the requirements of yachting
and contribute dignity to such observances as are called for in the
foregoing.
As stated under the head of “Duties and Responsibilities of Officers”
the rules and regulations laid down specially refer to the larger class
of steam yachts, but it is explained that these laws may be modified to
apply to smaller classes of pleasure vessels.
CONTENTS
COLORS IN GENERAL 11
SPECIAL LIGHTS 27
OFFICIAL CEREMONIES AND COURTESIES 29
SALUTES IN GENERAL 41
BOAT SERVICE 47
GOVERNMENT OF THE YACHT 56
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF OFFICERS 65
SYNOPSIS OF U. S. YACHTING LAWS 82
_YACHT ETIQUETTE_
[Illustration: RUDDER STATION FLAG]
COLORS IN GENERAL.
DETAILS CONCERNING YACHT FLAGS, AND HOW THEY ARE USED.
The pennant is a triangular shaped flag, and is used for the club
burgee. The swallowtail is used for the captain’s (owner’s) private
signal. The rectangular flag is used principally for flag officers’
distinguishing flags. The shape of the bunting will generally signify
whether the flag is that of the club, of a flag officer or of a
captain. The bunting used for flag officers’ distinguishing flags is
colored--blue for commodore, red for vice-commodore, and white for
rear-commodore.
[Illustration: CLUB BURGEE]
[Illustration: PRIVATE SIGNAL]
[Illustration: COMMODORE’S FLAG]
TIME TO MAKE COLORS--PLACE TO DISPLAY SAME.
When at anchor or underway, the ensign and colors of a yacht in
commission should be hoisted at 8 A. M. and kept flying until sunset
(local time). This does not apply to a flag officer, who should display
his official flag continuously (day and night) while in commission.
When at anchor the ensign is hoisted on the flagpole at the stern of
both steam and sail yachts, and when underway it is hoisted to the
after gaff-end on sailing vessels; but is retained on the pole in
the case of steam yachts, although it may be hoisted to the gaff-end
if desired. The burgee should be hoisted to the foretopmast head on
schooners, and the private signal at the maintopmast. In the case of
yawls, the ensign may be hoisted to the mizzenmast head, both when at
anchor and when underway, and the burgee may be hoisted to the mainmast
head when at anchor and the private flag when underway, the same as on
cutters, sloops and chief officers, or the yawl may be considered as
a schooner and the bunting displayed as for the latter vessel. In the
case of a launch the burgee should be flown from the bow pole. Flag
officers’ signals should be flown from the truck of a cutter, sloop or
catboat, the main truck of a schooner, yawl or steamer, and the bow
pole of a launch. The church pennant is hoisted over the ensign during
divine service. (See “Colors to be Flown in Yacht’s Boats.”)
[Illustration: YACHT ENSIGN]
[Illustration: CHURCH FLAG]
SENIOR OFFICER PRESENT TO GIVE THE TIME FOR COLORS AND SUNSET.
The time for making colors and sunset should be taken from the senior
officer’s yacht present, whether he is on board or not, and the only
gun fired for colors and sunset should be the one on such senior’s
yacht.
AT ANCHOR WITH NAVAL VESSEL OR OFF A NAVAL STATION.
When a yacht is in company with a vessel of her own navy, or at anchor
off a naval station, she should regulate the time for colors and sunset
to such vessel or station.
VISITING HOME WATERS OF ANOTHER YACHT CLUB.
Yachts visiting the home waters of another club (provided such waters
are other than their own) should take their time for colors and sunset
from the yacht of the senior officer of such club present.
ENTERING OR LEAVING PORT BEFORE COLORS OR AFTER SUNSET.
When a yacht enters port in the morning before colors are made, or in
the evening after sunset, her ensign, club burgee and private signal
should be displayed and kept flying until the yacht comes to anchor,
when they should be hauled down--provided there be sufficient light for
the colors to be recognized.
NIGHT PENNANT.
During the night (between sunset and colors) the yacht should fly a
night pennant at the maintopmast head, or in the case of a three-mast
vessel, at the mizzenmast head--except in the case of flag officers.
ABSENT FLAG.
During the absence of the captain from the yacht, a blue rectangular
flag (called Absent Flag) should be kept flying from daylight until
dark at the starboard main spreader of a fore-and-aft vessel, or on the
starboard main-yard arm of a square-rigged vessel. The private signal
(or flag officer’s pennant), however, is to be kept flying, whether the
captain is on board or not.
[Illustration: ABSENCE FLAG]
SINGLE STICKERS--WHERE, WHEN AND HOW TO FLY BURGEE AND PRIVATE SIGNAL.
Single-masted vessels should not fly the private signal on the same
halliards as the club burgee. When at anchor the club burgee should be
displayed, and when underway the private signal, except when on the
annual cruise of the club, when the club burgee should be flown both at
anchor and underway.
MEAL PENNANTS.
Meal Pennants may be hoisted during hours when the colors are not
displayed.
During the meal hours of the captain, when the yacht is at anchor, a
white rectangular flag should be flown at the starboard main spreader,
and when same is exhibited, guests are politely debarred. During the
meal hours of the crew a red pennant should be flown from the port
fore spreader, and at such times boat crews should not be called away
unnecessarily. Of course, on a “single-sticker” the white flag and red
meal pennant must both be flown from the same mast, but they will be
exhibited on their proper sides. After dark a white light should be
shown from the starboard main spreader to indicate that the captain is
at dinner. Meal flags should not be flown when the yacht is underway.
In a square-rigged yacht the captain’s meal pennant should be flown
from the starboard main yard arm, and the crew’s meal pennant at the
port fore yard arm. (See Dinner Light.)
[Illustration: OWNER’S MEAL FLAG]
[Illustration: CREW’S MEAL FLAG]
COLORS TO BE FLOWN IN YACHT’S BOATS.
The yacht’s gig, launch, etc., when brought to the gangway or when
away from the yacht, shall display the ensign at the stern. While the
captain is in the boat, the private signal should be displayed at the
bow. If a club member is in the boat without the captain, a club burgee
should be displayed at the bow.
ENSIGN TO BE EXHIBITED WHEN PASSING NAVAL VESSELS, LIGHTHOUSES,
MILITARY POSTS, ETC.
The yacht ensign should be exhibited when at sea on falling in with
naval vessels, or when approaching lightships, lighthouses, signal
stations and military posts.
FLAG OFFICER’S PENNANT.
Flag officers fly a pennant at the main on yachts and on the forward
flagstaff of gigs, to distinguish their rank. These pennants take the
place of the yacht’s private signal.
YACHT SHORT-HANDED.
If the yacht is short-handed, two flags may be bent on to the same set
of halliards, so that while one flag is being sent aloft the other may
be coming down.
BURGEE AND PRIVATE SIGNAL MAY BE BROKEN OUT.
The club burgee and private signal may be “made up” and mast-headed
previous to colors, and “broken out” when the signal for colors is
given, but the ensign should never be made up and broken out.
COLORS TO BE WELL HOISTED.
Daylight should never show between the head of a flag and the truck.
MASTLESS YACHTS.
On mastless yachts the colors are exhibited on staffs placed forward
and aft.
NATIONAL MOURNING.
On occasions of national mourning the ensign should be half-masted, but
the burgee and private signal should be kept mast-headed, unless the
official was a member of the club whose flag you are flying, in which
case the club burgee should be half-masted.
DEATH OF CAPTAIN.
In the event of the death of the captain on shore, both the club burgee
and private signal of his yacht should be kept half-masted from colors
until sunset on the day of his funeral, but the ensign should be kept
fully hoisted during the same time. If, on the other hand, the death
should occur on board while the yacht is in port, then the ensign also
should be half-masted as soon as the body leaves the vessel for the
shore, and the ensign should be kept so flying until sunset of the
same day. Should the burial of the Captain take place at sea, then
the ensign of the vessel and the captain’s private signal should be
displayed at half-mast at the commencement of the ceremony and kept
flying until its conclusion, when the ensign and private signal should
be hauled down.
DEATH OF FLAG OFFICER.
On the occasion of the death of a flag officer while his yacht is
in port, his pennant should be hauled down at sunset on the day of
his funeral, and should not be again hoisted--the yacht’s private
signal taking its place. If the funeral takes place at sea, then the
pennant should be hauled down with the ensign at the conclusion of the
ceremonies.
DEATH OF CLUB MEMBER.
When mourning is ordered for the death of a club member, the burgee
only is half-masted, and this should be observed whether underway or at
anchor.
HOW TO HALF-MAST COLORS.
The ensign, burgee and private signal (also flag officer’s pennant)
should always be mast-headed before they are half-masted.
SALUTING WITH ENSIGN AT HALF-MAST.
Whenever it becomes necessary to salute with the ensign while it is
flying at half-mast, it must be mast-headed before it is dipped, and
mast-headed again before it is half-masted after the salute.
HAULING DOWN HALF-MAST COLORS.
Before hauling down half-masted colors, always mast-head them first.
DEATH OF ONE OF THE CREW.
In the event of the death of the Sailing-Master, mate, or other
officer, or one of the crew at sea, the ensign of the yacht should be
half-masted during the funeral ceremony. Should the death of one of the
above occur on board while the yacht is in port, then the ensign should
be half-masted from the time that the body leaves the yacht until the
return of the boat that conveyed the body to the shore.
PERMISSION TO HALF-MAST COLORS TO BE OBTAINED.
No yacht of a fleet other than that of the senior officer present
should ever half-mast her colors until permission to do so has been
obtained.
HOURS FOR HALF-MASTING COLORS.
Funeral honors in the way of half-masting colors should not be paid
before sunrise nor after sunset.
BOAT ENGAGED IN FUNERAL CEREMONY.
When a boat is engaged in funeral ceremonies in conveying a body to the
shore, the ensign in the stern should be kept half-masted until the
body is landed.
MAKING COLORS.
About five minutes before colors, have the club and private signals,
night pennant and ensign halliards manned, the boat-boom guys tended,
and a hand stationed at the ship’s bell. As soon as the signal is given
for colors, call: “Strike eight bells and hoist away!” At this instant
swing out the boat booms, haul down the night pennant, and send aloft
the bunting. The flags may be sent up in stops before eight bells, and
broken out on the first stroke of the bell, but the ensign should never
be broken out, and should be hoisted slowly.
MAKING SUNSET.
About fifteen minutes before the time given for sunset, have the anchor
light, gangway light, and signal light or lights all ready, the boats
either hoisted or dropped astern, and the night pennant bent on. About
five minutes before sunset, station the men at the boom guys, club
and private signals and ensign halliards, anchor-light whip, gangway
light, and, if a flagship, the distinguishing lights. If you are the
flagship you will also have a gunner stationed at the offshore gun,
and wait, watch in hand (care should be observed to have it on correct
local time), for the time given for sunset. But if you are taking time
from another vessel, or from the shore, the time need not concern you;
simply await the sunset signal; then call, “Haul down!” At this instant
let go the forward boat-boom guys and swing the booms in. Observe that
the club, private signal, and ensign are hauled down (the two former
preserving the same height to one another until they reach the deck)
and that the night pennant and anchor light go aloft as soon as the
order to haul down is given. Arrange the gangway lights, and make the
bunting up neatly and stow it away in the flag locker. If the boats are
riding astern, give them a short painter to prevent them from being
run over by vessels coming in to anchor, or passing under your stern,
and never allow a boat to ride astern without a white light in same.
If boat booms remain swung out, they should have a white light at the
outboard end.
DAY SIGNALS FOR PILOTS.
The following signals, numbered 1 and 2, when displayed together or
separately, shall be deemed to be signals for a pilot, in the day
time: 1st, To be hoisted at the fore, the Jack or other national
color usually worn by merchant ships, having round it a white border
one-fifth of the breadth of the flag; or, 2d, The International Code
Pilotage Signal, indicated by Flag “S.”.
NIGHT SIGNALS FOR PILOTS.
The following signals, numbered 1 and 2, when used or displayed
together, or separately, shall be deemed to be signals for a pilot, in
the nighttime; 1st, The pyrotechnic light, commonly known as a blue
light, every fifteen minutes; or, 2d, a bright white light, flashed or
shown at short intervals, just above the bulwarks, for about a minute
at a time.
SIGNAL FOR TOWING-BOAT.
The signal for a towing-boat is made by setting the ensign in the main
rigging a little above the deck.
DRESSING SHIP.
The prettiest mode of dressing a ship with flags is to make an arch of
them from the jib-boom end to the foretopmast head, thence across to
the maintopmast head, and down to the main boom end, allowing two or
more flags to hang down under the jib-boom end and the main boom end
respectively, with a lead attached to the end of each line to keep the
flags from flying around. Hoisted to the trucks, by the regular signal
halliards, should be the ensign Jack, or the flags of the nation in
whose port the ship is lying, or the distinguishing flags of the person
whom it is desired to honor. The arch of flags should be hoisted so as
to give the former flags room to display themselves. Have blocks at the
topmast heads for the fore-and-aft strings of arch flags, and hoist the
flags to them by means of a whip. The flying jib halliards will do
to hoist the foremost part of the arch (from the jib-boom end to the
foretopmast head). Care should be taken and taste must be exercised in
selecting and placing the flags, and rectangular flags should alternate
with pennants. Reeve off the three arch halliards and measure the
distance in the three clear parts, by marking the halliards so that
you will know what length of flags to bend on, and thus avoid the
inconvenience and annoyance of sending the string on deck after they
have once been hoisted, for the purpose of alterations. In addition
to stopping the flags to the halliards on the head and tack, take a
couple of stitches to the halliards about midway. The Jack should be
hoisted on the Jack-staff on the bowsprit. In reeving off the halliards
for the span between the fore and maintopmast heads, let the ends (or
hauling parts) lead through single blocks and down alongside of the
fore and main masts, respectively, bending the flags on to the bight,
and trice up by the two parts, manned at the same time that the flags
are sent aloft. At sunset come up with your outhauls, and the forward
and after strings of flags will come inboard, and can then be lowered
away. Just before “colors” send the two mast-head ensigns aloft “made
up.” When the signal is made, hoist away on the arch halliards, and,
at the instant the flags reach home, “break out” the ensign and the
Jack. Pennants and square flags should be bent on alternately. Another
mode of dressing ship is by “up-and-down” flags--that is, by flying
a string of flags from each topmast head to the deck. Flag officers’
pennants and burgees should not be used in dressing ship, nor should
the ensign of any foreign nation be displayed, except it is desired to
compliment such nation, when it should be flown from the main truck.
When a yacht is dressed all her lowered boats should fly the ensign,
whether underway or riding to the boat booms. On special occasions a
steam yacht underway, or a sailing yacht being towed, may dress ship.
[Illustration: UNION JACK]
COMMODORE OF A CLUB ON A CRUISE WITH ANOTHER CLUB IN WHICH HE IS A
MEMBER.
In such an event the Commodore should not fly his rank flag, but should
fly the club flag of the cruising club, and should also fly his private
signal, so as not to exhibit evidence of his flag rank in any way. In
other words, he should act simply as a Captain during the cruise, or
while he remains with the squadron. When at anchor with the squadron
at night, he should display only the Captain’s light, the same as the
other Captains, and never, under any circumstances, show Commodore’s
lights.
FLAG OFFICER OF A CLUB ENTERING HARBOR OF ANOTHER CLUB IN WHICH HE IS
A MEMBER.
In this case circumstances govern. Should the Commodore enter said
harbor, either alone or while on a cruise with his squadron, he should
fly his Commodore’s pennant and club flag; but if he is cruising
independently, after relegating his command to his junior, and is at
anchor in the harbor of a yacht club to which he belongs, then, if he
elects to fly the latter’s club flag, he should do so together with his
private signal; but he should not fly his Commodore’s pennant with a
club flag other than that of which he is Commodore.
USE OF COMMODORE’S PRIVATE SIGNAL.
The Commodore’s private signal should be used only on such occasions as
he does not fly his Commodore’s pennant--cruising with another club in
which he is a member, etc.
COMMODORE’S PENNANT NIGHT AND DAY.
The Commodore’s flag shall not be hauled down at sunset, but shall be
flown day and night. Should it be desired to substitute an old pennant
for service during the night, then send aloft the old pennant made up,
and break it out before commencing to lower the other. Of course,
this requires two sets of halliards, which should always be rove on a
flagship.
THE JACK--WHEN DISPLAYED.
The Jack should be set on Sundays, also on all occasions of ceremony,
the same being flown from a staff on the bowsprit. Wash clothes should
not be hung up when the Jack is exhibited.
SPECIAL LIGHTS.
COMMODORE’S LIGHTS.
Between sunset and colors, when in harbor, the Commodore shows two blue
lights in globular lanterns suspended perpendicularly at the after
gaff-end, or on the flagpole at the stern.
VICE-COMMODORE’S LIGHTS.
The Vice-Commodore shows the same number of lights as the Commodore,
and in the same place, but the color is red.
REAR-COMMODORE’S LIGHTS.
The Rear-Commodore also shows the same number of lights and in the same
place as prescribed for the Commodore, but the color is white.
ABSENT LIGHT.
At night a blue lantern should be substituted for the blue absent flag,
and hoisted at the starboard main spreader or yard arm.
DINNER LIGHT.
A white light hung at the starboard main spreader or yardarm after
sunset has the same significance as the white meal pennant.
WHITE LANTERNS UNDER THE BOOM.
These are used for illuminating the after deck and have no official
significance.
OFFICIAL CEREMONIES AND COURTESIES.
QUARTER-DECK TO BE SALUTED.
The quarter-deck should always be saluted by officers and men, by
touching or raising the cap, upon coming over the gangway when boarding
or leaving their own or another yacht, or a naval vessel.
YACHT JOINING A SQUADRON MUST REPORT.
When joining a squadron, a yacht must report to the commanding officer
of the squadron, by the owner of said yacht visiting in person the
flag officer in charge, and a yacht should never part company with the
squadron without receiving permission so to do.
SENIOR OFFICER TO RETURN SALUTES AND VISITS.
The senior officer present is in command of all the yachts at the
anchorage that are flying the burgee of the club he represents, and it
is his duty to make and return salutes and visits.
SENIOR OFFICER TO TENDER CIVILITIES TO VISITING YACHT--CAPTAIN OF
VISITING YACHT TO PAY RESPECTS IN PERSON.
When a yacht visits the home waters of another club, and after salutes
have been exchanged, the senior officer present representing such home
club should send to the visiting yacht a tender of the civilities of
the club, after which the Captain of the visiting yacht should pay his
respects in person to the commanding officer of the anchorage.
RECEPTION OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
The President of the United States should be received at the gangway
of the yacht by the commanding officer of such, and should be piped
over the side by the boatswain--the crew being drawn up in line on
the port side of the deck. As the President reaches the deck, the
President’s flag should be broken out at the main-topmast-head, and
one gun fired from the yacht in salute to same, while the Captain,
officers and crew should raise their caps in salute. When the President
leaves, the crew should be stationed as before, and the Captain should
escort the President to the gangway, where the Boatswain should be
stationed as before, to blow the pipe and raise his cap, together with
the crew, as the President reaches the rail. One gun should be fired
and the President’s flag hauled down as soon as the boat conveying the
President shoves off from the yacht’s side. Provided the President
embarks in one of the yacht’s boats, his flag should be carried on
the flagpole in the bows of the boat, while the President is in it,
and the yacht’s ensign should be carried at the stern, as usual. The
Sailing-Master of the yacht should be detailed to take charge of the
yacht’s boat that carries the President. The Captain’s gig should
always be the boat employed in transporting guests whom it is desired
to specially honor.
RECEPTION OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
The Vice-President of the United States should receive the same honors
as prescribed for the President, except that the national flag should
be substituted for the President’s flag and only one salute fired,
which should take place when the Vice-President leaves. A small
national flag should be carried on the flagstaff in the bows of the
yacht’s boat while conveying the Vice-President.
RECEPTION OF THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.
The Secretary of the Navy of the United States should receive the
same honors as prescribed for the Vice-President, substituting the
distinguishing flag of the Secretary.
RECEPTION OF OTHER CABINET OFFICERS.
Other Cabinet officers should receive the same honors as prescribed for
the Secretary of the Navy, except that there is no distinguishing or
special bunting to be used.
RECEPTION OF THE GOVERNOR OF A STATE.
The Governor of a State should be received with the same honors as
prescribed for the Vice-President, except that the flag of his State
should be substituted, both at the main-topmast-head and in the bows of
the yacht’s boats.
RECEPTION OF A FOREIGN SOVEREIGN.
A foreign sovereign or the chief magistrate of any foreign country
should be received on board with the same honors as prescribed for the
President of the United States, except that the flag of his country
should be substituted.
RECEPTION OF A MEMBER OF A ROYAL FAMILY.
A member of a royal family should receive the same honors as prescribed
for their sovereign, except that only one salute be fired, which should
take place at the time the honored guest leaves the yacht.
RECEPTION OF NAVAL AND ARMY OFFICERS.
A naval or army officer should be received at the gangway of the yacht
by the Captain, and should be piped over the side by the Boatswain,
who should stand alongside the gangway and keep his cap lifted while
blowing his pipe. Upon leaving, the Captain should escort his guest
to the gangway and should observe that the Boatswain is stationed
as before to wind his call as the officer goes over the yacht’s
side. If the naval or army officer is of the rank of Commodore or
Lieutenant-Colonel, or higher, a gun may be fired after the boat
containing the guest has shoved off from the yacht’s side. Provided the
yacht’s boat is used by the guest, one of the yacht’s deck officers
should be sent in charge of same.
RECEPTION OF MEMBERS OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS.
Members of the Diplomatic Corps of the rank of Minister should be given
the same honors as prescribed for Cabinet officers, and if below the
rank of Minister, they should be given the same honors as prescribed
for naval and army officers.
RECEPTION OF OTHER OFFICIALS.
Other high officials not mentioned in the foregoing may have such
honors accorded them in visiting the yachts as may be consistent with
the rules laid down.
RECEPTION OF FLAG OFFICERS.
Refer to “Salutes in General,” next chapter.
CEREMONY OF PUTTING A YACHT IN COMMISSION.
The ceremony of putting a yacht in commission is exceedingly simple.
As a rule, this takes place as soon as the yacht is in proper
sailing trim--that is, when the bright woodwork, etc., is scraped
and varnished, standing rigging set up, running rigging rove off,
decks cleaned, sails bent, etc. The officers and men appear on deck,
in uniform, and the club burgee and the Captain’s private signal are
“made up” and hoisted to their respective trucks; then the Captain
(the Sailing-Master may be authorized to act in the former’s place)
addresses the Sailing-Master: “Mr. ----, I declare the yacht ‘----’
in commission.” When this is said, the Sailing-Master orders the
burgee and private signal to be “broken out” and the yacht ensign
hoisted--this consummates the putting of the yacht in commission.
CEREMONY OF PUTTING THE YACHT OUT OF COMMISSION.
The ceremony of going out of commission consists simply of the
following: Before the unbending of sail or the dismantling of the yacht
in any way, the crew appear on deck in uniform, and the club burgee,
private signal and ensign halliards are manned. The owner addresses
the Sailing-Master: “Mr. ----, I declare the yacht ‘----’ out of
commission.” Upon this the Sailing-Master orders a gun to be fired and
the burgee, private signal and ensign lowered. The dismantling of the
yacht may then commence.
COMMODORE’S DUTIES IN REGARD TO THE CEREMONY OF PUTTING THE CLUB IN
COMMISSION, AND OPENING THE CLUBHOUSE FOR THE SEASON.
After the date of the opening day of the Clubhouse has been fixed upon
by the Commodore and House Committee (which usually occurs between the
1st and 15th of May, and in some instances later), the Secretary, at
the request of the Commodore, or according to the regulations of the
club, notifies all members, at least ten days in advance, by mail, that
the club will open on this certain day and date, and the time selected
is usually 12.00 noon.
After the arrival of the members, the Commodore calls them to order
in the Clubhouse, and in his own words tells them of his pleasure
in seeing them, and impresses upon each officer, committee, and the
members in general the importance of observing the laws and regulations
of the club, and expresses his wishes for the success of the club for
the coming season. The Commodore then advises that all assemble in
front of the Clubhouse around the flagpole, or on the veranda, for the
purpose of putting the club in commission. While the Commodore has
been addressing the members, the employees of the club have bent all
flags to their halliards and loaded the cannon. One man is stationed at
each signal halliard and one at the cannon, standing by. The Commodore
proceeds a little in advance of members and guests, and at a signal
from him (usually a waving of the hand, previously agreed upon) the
gun is fired, the signals run up, and at the same time the Commodore
announces: “I declare the ---- Yacht Club in commission.” All the
yachts in the harbor should have dressed ship in advance, and should
salute the club by firing a gun as quickly as possible after the gun of
the Clubhouse has been fired.
This concludes the act of putting the club in commission.
COMMODORE’S DUTIES DURING THE PERIOD THAT THE YACHT CLUB IS IN
COMMISSION.
While the club is in commission the Commodore should deem it incumbent
upon him to be watchful concerning the general management of the club;
to observe that the various officers are alive to their duties; that
the rules and regulations are enforced and obeyed, and that harmony
prevails.
The Commodore should preside at all general meetings of the club at
the Clubhouse; but in the event of his anticipated absence he should
delegate the Vice-Commodore to preside, who, in turn, will notify the
Rear-Commodore should he find himself unable to attend. In the absence
of the three Commodores, the Fleet Captain will preside, and in case of
the latter’s absence the Senior Captain present will take the chair,
call the meeting to order and transact the business of same.
In all cases of dispute in club matters, the Commodore and Board of
Trustees should be the arbitrators.
Before the season arrives for the commissioning of the club, the
Commodore should name his Fleet Captain, Fleet Surgeon and Chaplain,
etc.--in fact, the sooner he names the same after his election as
Commodore the better.
In the selection of his Fleet Captain the Commodore should be careful
to appoint a gentleman of experience in yachting, as such a one will
prove invaluable to the chief Flag Officer, taking a great amount of
responsibility and care and detail away from the latter.
In case the Fleet Captain has no yacht of his own, the Commodore’s
yacht should be open to him on all possible occasions, as a matter
of courtesy, and on a cruise of the club, whether the Fleet Captain
possesses a yacht or not, his place is on the flagship, in constant
official attendance upon the Commodore, and in supervision of the fleet
from the flagship’s bridge or quarter-deck.
The Fleet Captain should, under the authority of the Commodore,
direct all the movements of the fleet when on the annual, or any
special cruise, and the crew of the flagship should be notified by
the Commodore to execute the orders of the Fleet Captain upon such
occasions.
Should the Commodore decide to be absent from the club station for
several days, he should notify the Vice-Commodore, so that during such
absence the latter might assume the duties of Commodore should some
special occurrence be experienced.
THE COMMODORE’S DUTIES WHEN THE CLUB IS GOING OUT OF COMMISSION.
When the date of going out of commission is fixed, all the members,
at the request of the Commodore, are notified, through the Secretary,
by mail, to attend this special meeting, in order to put the club out
of commission. In some instances the Secretary, Treasurer and various
committees submit their reports at this meeting, other times, again,
the reports are not submitted until some time later in the autumn
or winter. After all the business of this stated meeting has been
transacted, the Commodore thanks each and all for the great aid he has
received from them all, also mentioning about the success of the club
for the past season. He then proposes that they proceed to put the club
out of commission. The signal halliards and cannon have been manned,
and at a given signal from the Commodore the gun is fired, flags are
hauled down, and the Commodore at the same time says: “I now declare
the ---- Yacht Club out of commission.” If there are yachts at anchor
off the Clubhouse they should salute the club by firing their guns.
NOTE.--It is customary on the occasion of the yacht club going out of
commission to have a banquet for members and guests.
HONORS TO THE CAPTAIN WHEN EMBARKING AND DISEMBARKING.
When the Captain is seen coming off to the yacht, it should so be
reported to the Sailing-Master (provided he is on board, and, in
his absence, to the Mate), who will at once station one of the
Quarter-Masters, or one of the crew, at the “absent flag” halliards,
and the Boatswain at the gangway, to blow a pipe as the Captain comes
over the side, and, as the gig comes alongside the gangway, the
Sailing-Master will face the side, and as the Captain steps over the
rail, the Sailing-Master and Boatswain will salute by touching the cap
visor, and the absent flag will be hauled down. The gig will remain
alongside for orders. The Sailing-Master, after ascertaining the
Captain’s wishes in regard to the gig, will either order it hoisted or
hauled out to the boom. When intending to leave the ship, the Captain
should send word to that effect to the Sailing-Master (or to the Mate,
in the absence of the former), who will see that the gig is dropped
down to the starboard gangway and properly manned, when it will then
be reported as ready to the Captain. The Sailing-Master and Boatswain
will then take their stations at the gangway, having a hand stationed
at the absent flag halliards; and as the Captain passes them to enter
the boat, the Boatswain will wind his call and touch his cap, and the
Captain shall receive and return the Sailing-Master’s salute. The
absent flag will be broken out as the boat shoves off. On entering or
leaving the gig the Captain should be saluted by the Coxswain only.
DUTIES OF THE FLEET CAPTAIN.
The Fleet Captain is appointed by the Commodore as his executive
officer, and retains his position at the pleasure of the Commodore. His
appointment is based upon his practical yachting experience, that he
may be enabled to transact all official business in connection with the
fleet; to decide questions of etiquette, and to relieve the Commodore
of the details of squadron evolution. Orders of the Commodore, or
Acting Commodore, should be issued through the Fleet Captain, and
endorsed by the latter; but only when the order bears the autograph
signature of the Fleet Captain should the word “official” be used. The
Fleet Captain’s flag should be carried on the forward staff of any
launch or boat that he may be in charge of.
SALUTES IN GENERAL.
GUNS BETWEEN SUNSET AND COLORS.
Guns fired between sunset and colors are considered signals of distress.
GUNS ON SUNDAY.
Guns should not be fired on Sunday, either in the way of a salute or
when getting underway or when coming to anchor.
COLORS AND SUNSET GUN TO BE FIRED BY SENIOR OFFICER’S YACHT.
When in company with one or more yachts of the same club, the gun fired
to make colors or sunset should be that of the yacht of the senior
officer of such club present, whether he is on board his vessel or not.
YACHTS TO SALUTE NAVAL VESSELS.
All yachts should salute naval vessels of their own or any other
friendly country, by dipping the ensign. It is customary for yachts to
salute a naval vessel by dipping the ensign once.
DIPPING THE ENSIGN.
In no case is the ensign to be dipped more than once in one salute.
YACHTS PASSING TO SALUTE.
Yachts passing should salute each other by dipping the ensign once--the
junior saluting first.
YACHTS MEETING AT SEA TO SALUTE.
In meeting at sea yachts should salute each other, and this salute
should consist of simply dipping the ensign once.
STEAM WHISTLES NOT TO BE USED IN SALUTING.
Steam whistles and sirens should not be employed in making or
exchanging salutes between steam yachts or launches.
TO SALUTE UPON ENTERING HARBOR.
Upon entering harbor, Captains should salute the commanding officer of
the anchorage by firing one gun or by dipping the ensign once at the
time the anchor is dropped.
SALUTE TO A YACHT ENTERING HARBOR.
The salute to be made to a yacht entering port and entitled to a
salute consists of dipping the ensign once, or the firing of a gun when
the arriving yacht drops her anchor.
SPECIAL SALUTE TO COMMODORE ENTERING HARBOR.
On the occasion of the Commodore entering harbor to assume personal
command of his squadron, he should be saluted on coming to anchor (and
not before) by each yacht of the squadron. This salute should consist
of the firing of one gun from each yacht, or by the dipping once of the
ensign. This salute should be acknowledged by the firing of one gun by
the flagship.
ORDINARY SALUTE TO COMMODORE ENTERING HARBOR.
On ordinary occasions, when the Commodore’s yacht enters harbor his
flag should only be saluted with one gun from the yacht of the senior
officer of such club present, or by the dipping of the ensign once from
such senior’s yacht, and this salute should be acknowledged in kind by
the Commodore.
JUNIOR OFFICER’S YACHT ENTERING HARBOR.
When a junior flag officer’s yacht enters harbor, his flag should be
saluted when his yacht comes to anchor by one gun, or by the single
dipping of the ensign, from the yacht of the senior officer present,
provided the latter is inferior in rank to the arriving flag officer;
otherwise the arriving officer will salute the flag of the officer in
command of the anchorage with one gun or by the single dipping of the
ensign when his yacht drops anchor.
SENIOR OFFICER LEAVING HARBOR.
A senior officer leaving harbor should indicate that he has transferred
his command to the officer next below him in rank, by firing a gun or
by dipping his ensign once upon getting under way.
FLAG OFFICER MAKING OFFICIAL VISIT.
When a flag officer makes an official visit between colors and sunset,
his flag should be run up to the fore-topmast-head of the yacht visited
and broken out as soon as he boards the same. Upon leaving, one gun
should be fired and his flag hauled down after he has entered the boat
alongside and it has been shoved off from the yacht.
OFFICIAL SALUTE TO ANOTHER CLUB.
An official salute to another club should be made by hoisting the
burgee of such club to the fore-topmast-head and firing one gun. After
the salute has been returned, or a reasonable time for the return of
such allowed, the burgee should be hauled down and the yacht’s own
burgee hoisted. In the absence of the burgee of the club that is being
saluted the yacht’s own burgee may be half-masted while the salute is
given.
POSTPONED SALUTES.
Salutes postponed on account of Sunday, or owing to the arrival of a
yacht after sunset, should be made immediately after colors on the
following morning.
JUDGES’ YACHT NOT TO BE SALUTED.
During a race a yacht acting as Judge’s boat should not be saluted.
SALUTES BETWEEN SQUADRONS OF DIFFERENT CLUBS.
When squadrons of different clubs meet, whether in harbor or at sea,
salutes should be exchanged only by the commanding officers of such
squadrons.
SALUTES BETWEEN SINGLE YACHT AND SQUADRON.
Salutes from single yachts to a squadron should be answered only by the
commanding officer of the squadron.
WHEN FIRING GUNS AND MAKING SIGNALS ARE PROHIBITED.
Firing guns and making signals when under way with a squadron should
be carefully avoided, except in the line of duty. That is, no private
or personal signalling should go on between yachts, as the same might
easily be considered as levity and as lacking in respect to the
commanding officer of the squadron.
BOAT SALUTES.
Salutes to be made between boats will be found under the head of “Boat
Service.”
SALUTE TO THE QUARTER-DECK.
Upon boarding or leaving a yacht, the quarter-deck should be saluted by
touching the cap.
BOAT SERVICE.
PARTICULARS CONCERNING BOATS.
Boats used on board yachts are known as gigs, cutters, life-boats, and
dingeys.
Boats are built in three different ways, namely: The _carval-built_,
the planks fore and aft, the edges meeting but not overlapping. The
_clinker-built_, the planks fore and aft, the edges overlapping. The
_diagonal-built_, the planking running diagonally, the inside planks
running in a contrary direction to the outside planks, their edges
meeting.
Boats are called _single_ or _double-banked_, according as they have
one or two rowers to a thwart.
_Thwarts_ are the seats on which the crew sit; the space abaft the
after thwart is called the _stern-sheets_.
The spaces for the oars in the wash streak of boats are called
_rowlocks_.
Oars are made of ash or spruce; that part of the oar which is dipped
in the water is called the _blade_; the round part which is inboard,
the _loom_; the extremity of the loom, which is grasped by the rower’s
hand, the _handle_.
Oars are called _double-banked_ when two men pull one oar.
_Feathering_ is known as turning the blades nearly flat to the water
after the stroke, with the upper edge turned forward.
_Boat-falls_ are purchases made with two blocks and a length of rope,
used for hoisting a boat to the davits.
The _painter_ is a length of line made fast into a ring-bolt in the
stem of boats, used for making the boat fast, to tow by, etc.
The _gunwale_ of a boat is the upper rail.
The _yoke_ is a piece of wood or metal fitted across the head of a
boat’s rudder.
_Yoke lines_ are pieces of rope made fast to the yoke by which the
rudder is turned and the boat steered.
_Boat-davits_ are pieces of timber or iron projecting over a vessel’s
sides or stern to hoist boats up to.
_A plug_ is the wooden stopper fitted into a hole in the bottom of the
boat to let in or keep out water.
_Flooring_ is the bottom boards of the boat.
_Boat booms_ are the booms on either side of a vessel to which the
boats ride when the ship is at anchor.
_A boat-breaker_ is a small keg used for carrying fresh water.
_A boat-recall_ is an understood signal made from the ship to summon a
boat to return.
_Gripes_ are long strips of canvas leading from the davit ends, and
passing under a boat to secure it. They are set taut by lanyards.
_Boat-fenders_ are small shapes of canvas or leather stuffed and hung
over a boat’s side to prevent it from being chafed and from chafing the
sides of the yacht.
_Back Board_ is a board in the stern of the boat on which is often
printed the name of the yacht to which she belongs.
BOAT CEREMONY AND DISCIPLINE.
The lading of the gig should be arranged so that juniors in rank and in
official importance should enter the boat first, and the one highest in
rank and importance should immediately precede the Captain, who should
always be the last to enter the boat and the first to disembark. The
disembarking should take place in the reverse order to the embarking,
so that the junior in rank should be the last to leave the boat.
BOAT ORDERS.
In the following the gig is supposed to be manned, and lying alongside
the gangway.
After the gig is reported ready to the Captain, he will direct his
guests to enter the boat, and after they are all seated he will receive
and return the Sailing-Master’s salute, then take his place in the
gig--care having been observed to leave the stern-sheets clear for him,
and the yoke lines ready to hand.
The Captain will observe that his private signal is stepped in the
bows, that the seating of his guests does not interfere with the stroke
oarsman, and will then call:
“SHOVE OFF FORWARD!”
When this order is given, the man in the bows shoves the boat’s head
away from the ship’s side, stows his boat-hook, and lays his hands on
his oar.
The next order is: “UP OARS!” “OARS APEAK” is sometimes wrongfully
employed.
The crew will simultaneously seize and raise their proper oars briskly
to the vertical (keeping their eyes on the stroke oarsman), and hold
them thus directly in front of them, the blades being fore-and-aft, the
ends of the oars held clear of the boat’s bottom; the oarsmen sitting
on the port side of the boat holding the oars with right hands down,
and those sitting on the starboard side holding the oars with left
hands down. The oarsmen sitting on the port side of the boat pull the
starboard oars, and the oarsmen sitting on the starboard side of the
boat pull the port oars.
The next command is: “LET FALL!”
The oars must be dropped into the rowlocks together, care being taken
to prevent the blades from striking the water--blades flat to the water
and leveled.
Next give the order: “GIVE WAY!”
The boat is now underway, the crew taking the style of pulling from the
stroke oarsman.
In running alongside of a vessel or float-stage, give the boat
sufficient impetus to “reach”; then call, while the blades are in the
water: “WAY ENOUGH!”
The men will finish the stroke and then raise their oars simultaneously
to a vertical position, and lay them with as little noise as possible
amidships in the boat in a line with the keel, the blades pointing
forward. The stroke and bow oarsmen seize their boat-hooks, and as the
boat runs alongside they stop its way and hold it.
With four or more oared boat, just before the order “WAY ENOUGH” is
given, the order “IN BOW” should be given to allow the man forward to
get in his oar and take his boat-hook in hand ready to fend off when
the boat comes alongside the landing.
BOAT SALUTES.
Flag officers should display their pennants in the bows of boats when
underway, Captains their private signals, and members the club burgee.
Salutes shall only be made to boats displaying flags as above.
Junior flag officers, captains, and members in command of boats should
lie on their oars to the Commodore’s boat in passing, and at the same
time should raise their caps in salute.
Sailing-Masters, under-officers and coxswains should order their crews
to lie on their oars to boats passing that display flag officers’
pennants, and the one in charge of the boat should raise his cap in
salute.
Seniors in rank acknowledge salutes by simply raising the cap, and do
not cease rowing.
Captains and junior flag officers passing should salute each other by
raising the cap--the junior saluting first--but the crews will not lie
on their oars.
The salutes from all boats under sail, being towed, or laden, should be
made by the one in charge raising his cap, and the way of such boats
should not be checked.
When approaching your own or another yacht for the purpose of going
alongside, on being hailed, answer by giving the name of your yacht, if
a Captain, but if a Commodore, the reply should be “Flag.”
If it is desired to cease rowing temporarily, give the order: “OARS!”
The crew will then lift the blades of their oars from the water,
holding the blades horizontally, and at right angles to the keel.
When it is desired to continue rowing, simply call: “GIVE WAY!”
When rowing, if passing so close to another boat that a collision of
oars seems probable, call: “TRAIL!” The men will keep their oars in the
rowlocks, but permit the blades to trail aft and alongside. When the
danger is past, call: “OARS!”--this brings the crew to attention, with
the oars in position to receive the order: “GIVE WAY!”