SIGNALLING FOR SCOUTS
A. GENERAL SERVICE CODE
The General Service Code, given herewith, also called the Continental
Code and the International Morse Code, is used by the Army and Navy, and
for cabling and wireless telegraphy. It is used for visual signalling by
hand, flag, Ardois lights, torches, heliograph, lanterns, etc., and for
sound signalling with buzzer, whistle, etc.
The American Morse Code is used for commercial purposes only, and
differs from the International Morse in a few particulars. A Scout need
not concern herself with it because it would only be used by the Scout
who eventually becomes a telegrapher, and for this purpose the Western
Union Company offers the necessary training.
Wig Wag Signalling
GENERAL SERVICE CODE
The flag used for this signalling is square with a smaller square of
another color in the center. It may be either white with the smaller
square red, or red with the smaller square white. A good size for Scout
use is 24 inches square with a center 9 inches square, on a pole 42
inches long and one-half inch in diameter.
There are but three motions with the flag and all start from, and are
completed by, return to position, which means the flag held
perpendicularly and at rest directly in front of the signaller.
Signaller should stand erect, well balanced on the arches of the feet.
The butt of the flag stick is held lightly in the right hand; the left
hand steadies and directs the flag at a distance from six to twelve
inches above the right on the stick. The length of the stick will
determine the position of the left hand; the longer the stick the
further apart must the hands be placed in order to obtain the best
balance.
[Illustration: POSITION DOT DASH FRONT]
DOT: To make the dot, swing the flag down to the right until the stick
reaches the horizontal and bring it back to Position.
DASH: To make the dash, swing the flag to the left until it reaches the
horizontal and bring it back to Position.
INTERVAL: The third position is made by swinging the flag down directly
in front and returning to Position.
In order to keep the flag from "fouling" when making these motions, make
a sort of figure 8 with the point of the stick. A slight turn of the
wrist accomplishes this result and becomes very easy after a little
practice. Beginners should master the three motions of the flag,
exaggerating the figure 8 motion before they attempt to make letters.
_It is also best to learn the code before attempting to wig wag it, so
that the mind will be free to concentrate upon the technique or correct
managing of the flag._
THE GENERAL SERVICE CODE
(The International Morse or Continental)
Uses: Commercial wireless, submarine cables, Army and Navy. Methods:
flags by day, torches, lanterns, flashlight, searchlight, by night;
whistle, drum, bugle, tapping.
A .-
B -...
C -.-.
D -..
E .
F ..-.
G --.
H ....
I ..
J .---
K -.-
L .-..
M --
N -.
O ---
P .--.
Q --.-
R .-.
S ...
T -
U ..-
V ...-
W .--
X -..-
Y -.--
Z --..
1 .----
2 ..---
3 ...--
4 ....-
5 .....
6 -....
7 --...
8 ---..
9 ----.
0 -----
Period .. .. ..
Comma .-.-.-
Quotation Marks .-..-.
Colon ---...
Semicolon -.-.-.
Interrogation ..--..
A convenient form for learning the letters is as follows:
DOTS
E .
I ..
S ...
H ....
DASHES
T -
M --
O ---
OPPOSITES
A .- -. N
B -... ...- V
D -.. ..- U
G --. .-- W
F ..-. .-.. L
Y -.--- ---.- Q
SANDWICH LETTERS
K -.- P .--.
X -..- R .-.
LETTERS WITH NO OPPOSITES
Z --..
C -.-.
J .---
Make no pause between dots and dashes in making a letter, but make a
continuous swing from right to left, or left to right. A pause at
Position indicates the completion of a letter.
One Interval (Front) indicates the completion of a word.
Two Intervals indicate the completion of a sentence.
Three Intervals indicate the completion of a message.
_Do not try for speed._ In all signalling, accuracy is the important
thing, for unless the letters are accurately made they cannot be easily
read, and the message will have to be repeated. Fall into a regular easy
rhythm in sending. Speed comes with practice.
Signalling with a Flash Light: Use a short flash for the dot and a long
steady flash for the dash. Pause the length of three dots between
letters, and the length of five dots between words. A still longer pause
marks the end of a sentence.
Signalling by Whistle: Use a short blast for the dot, and a long steady
blast for the dash. Indicate the end of a letter, a word, and a sentence
by the same pauses as explained in Flash Light Signalling.
Signalling with a Lantern: The motions used in signalling with a lantern
are somewhat like those of the wig wag flag. For Position hold the
lantern directly in front of the body; for the dot swing it to the right
and back to Position; for the dash swing it to the left and back to
Position; and for Interval move it down and up in a vertical line
directly in front. A stationary light should be placed on the ground
before the feet as a point of reference for the various motions.
B. SEMAPHORE SIGNALLING
SEMAPHORE CODE
The semaphore is a machine with two arms which may be moved into various
positions to make letters. The semaphore code shown in the accompanying
picture may also be employed by a person using two flags. It is the
quickest method of flag signalling but is available for comparatively
short distances, seldom over a mile, unless extra large flags are
employed or there is some extraordinary condition of background or
atmosphere.
The semaphore code is not adapted to as many uses as is the general
service code, but for quick signalling over comparatively short
distances, it is preferable in every way.
The regulation flag is 18 inches square, either divided diagonally into
two triangles of white and red, or square of white with small square of
red in the center, or red with small square of white. These flags are
fastened on poles 24 inches long and 1/2 inch in diameter.
The flags must be carefully held so that the sticks make, as it were, a
continuation of the arm bone; a bent wrist will cause the flags to make
an entirely different angle, and consequently a different letter from
the one intended.
Swing the arms smoothly and without hesitation from one letter to
another. Hold each letter long enough to make it clear to the person
receiving it. Every word begins and ends with "intervals," the hands
crossed downward in front of the body, arms nearly straight, right hand
always over the left.
Indicate the end of a sentence by one "chip-chop" made by holding both
flags to the right, horizontally, and moving them up and down several
times; not altogether, but one flag going down as the other comes up,
making the "chopping" motion.
[Illustration: CODE FOR SEMAPHORE SIGNALLING]
Note: The extended arm should always make a straight line with the flag
staff.
_From the very beginning practice reading as well as sending._ It is
harder to do and requires more practice. Instructors should always face
the class in giving a lesson; in this way the pupil learns to read at
the same time as she is learning to make the letters. This principle
applies to all visual signalling.
Whistle Signals
1. One blast, "Attention"; "Assemble" (if scattered).
2. Two short blasts, "All right."
3. Four short blasts, calls "Patrol Leaders come here."
4. Alternate long and short blasts, "Mess Call."
Hand Signals
These signals are advisable when handling a troop in a street where the
voice cannot be readily heard, or in marching the troop into some
church, theatre, or other building where a spoken command is
undesirable.
_Forward_, _March_:
Carry the hand to the shoulder; straighten and hold the arm
horizontally, thrusting it in the direction of the march. (This signal
is also used to execute quick time from double time.)
_Halt_:
Carry the hand to the shoulder; thrust hand upward and hold the arm
vertically.
_Double Time_, _March_:
Carry the hand to the shoulder, rapidly thrust the hand upward the full
extent of the arm several times.
_Squads Right_, _March_:
Raise the arm laterally until horizontal; carry it to a vertical
position above the head and swing it several times between the vertical
and horizontal positions.
_Squads Left_, _March_:
Raise the arm laterally until horizontal; carry it downward to the side
and swing it several times between the downward and horizontal
positions.
_Change Direction or Column Right (Left) March_:
The hand on the side toward which the change of direction is to be made
is carried across the body to the opposite shoulder, forearm horizontal;
then swing in a horizontal plane, arm extended, pointing in the new
direction.
_Assemble_:
Raise the arm vertically to its full extent and describe horizontal
circles.
THE GIRL SCOUT SALUTE.
=How To Salute.= To salute, a Girl Scout raises
the right hand to her hat in line with the right
temple, the first three fingers extended, and the
little finger held down by the thumb. This salute
is the sign of the Girl Scouts. The three extended
fingers, like the Trefoil, represent the three
parts of the Promise.
=When To Salute.= When Scouts meet for the first
time during the day, whether comrades or
strangers, of whatever rank, they should salute
each other.
If in uniform a Girl Scout stands at attention and
salutes the flag when it is hoisted or lowered,
and as it passes her in parade. If not in uniform,
she stands at attention, but does not salute.
When in uniform and in ranks in public
demonstration, a Girl Scout stands at attention
and salutes when the Star Spangled Banner is
played. But she does not salute when she herself
is singing.
In ordinary gatherings when the anthem is played,
a Girl Scout stands at attention but does not
salute.
When Girl Scouts are on parade or marching in
troop or patrol formation, only the officers
salute, at the same time giving the command, "Eyes
right," or "Eyes left," as the case may be, at
which every Scout turns her eyes sharply in the
direction ordered till the officer commands, "Eyes
front."
When repeating the Promise, a Girl Scout stands at
salute.
When in uniform a Girl Scout should salute her
officers when speaking to them, or when being
spoken to by them.
If in uniform, a Girl Scout should return the
salute of a Boy Scout. She does not salute the
police or military officers unless they salute her
first.
Girl Scouts may salute each other whether they are
in uniform or not.
=Pledge of Allegiance.= "I pledge allegiance to
the flag and to the republic for which it stands;
one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice
for all."
Girl Scouts should stand at attention, bring the
hand to the full salute at the first word of the
pledge, and at the word "flag" extend the arm,
fingers still in the salute position, palm up,
pointing to the flag.
=Parades.= Girl Scouts may take part in patriotic
parades with the permission of the Local Council
or Commissioner or of the Captain where there is
no Local Council.