660 NICHoLLS'S SEAMANSHIP AJtfD NAUTICAL KNOWLEDGE

CATECHISM. ,
1. How many hoists should be shown at a time?
Usually one hoist, but if more than one group of hoists are shown
they should be kept flying until answered by the receiving ship.
2. Name the order in which several hoists should be read when displayed
simultaneously.
(i) Masthead, (ii) triatic stay, (lii) starboard yardarm, (iv) port
yard arm.
3. Suppose more than one group is shown on the same halyard, how
are they separated and read?
They are separated, by a "tack" line about 6 feet long, and the
groups are read in their order from the top group downwards.
4. A vessel is flying several groups of signals on different halyards at the
same yardarm; in what order should they be read?
From the outboard yardarm hoist inwards.
5. Several hoists are shown from different halyards on the triatic
stay; in what order should they be read ?
From forward aft.
6. Define what is meant by superior and inferior signals.
Signals take their superiority" from the order and position in which
they are hoisted, the follow up groups being called inferior signals.
The first signal hoisted is superior in point of time to the second one
hoisted, and so on.
Similarly, they take superiority from the position in wjhich they are
hoisted, viz.: (i) masthead, (ii) triatic stay, (Hi) starboard yardarm,
(iv) port yardarm.
7. Describe the procedure of signalling to another ship.
I would hoist my signal letters, and when the other vessel replied by
hoisting her answering pendant close up, or showing her signal letters,
I would hoist each group in turn keeping each hoist flying until it was
answered by the other vessel.
After completing the signal I would hoist my answering pendant
close up. The receiving ship would do the same.