Popham's Signal Flags

Popham as a young Lt.

The Admiral Popham Telegraph Signal book of 1806 is the book used on board Royal Navy ships, including the Acasta. Lord Nelson's final signal at Trafalgar was giv'n using the same system.

In way of explanation as to how to read the Popham Signals:

I. Preparatory flag consisting of a red-and-white diagonal flag which is flown at the start of a signal to show that it was a telegraphic signal.

II. The message finished flag consisted of blue and yellow diagonal.

III. If the message was understood the affirmative signal or a repeat of the signal that was sent.

IV. If the message was not understood then the affirmative signal with a white flag was flown.

V. If the message was to be answered a further flag was flown.

VI. If a number was to be sent then a numeral pennant was flown.

You may find a copy of Popham's Telegraph Signal book HERE. Have a look through it, it is a fairly simple system. You will need this as a reference from time-to-time when the Acasta hoists her signal flags.

Here is the previous signal hoisted, just before the Trafalgar Dinner, for practice:

Click on image to see a larger version.

 This message was hoisted after the capture of the Two Brothers to the Prize Crew from the Acasta

HOW TO MAKE A SMALL SHIP

Above is my original concept to create a flat, scaled down version of a tall ship for use in a signal flag demonstration. Below are the steps I went through to get to the finished product.

Painted the plywood with white primer and projected the ship artwork onto the board using an opaque projector, the cut all the pieces out and made sure the base pieces were primed as well.

You can see the pencil skecth of the ship on the flat cut out piece. Then I took the ship in, set it up on saw horses and painted it in the kitchen

Here's the ship nearly compled on one side.

Some close up shots of the details.

Painted the base to match the water. This shot also shows how the flat ship slides into the base. 

Here's the complete ship, fully rigged with signal halyards and flags!

A Secret Message for Jane

Have you decoded the secret signal flag message that flew above our camp this year at the Jane Austen Festival? Crack out your copy of Popham's and get to it then! To see the entire message, be sure to go back and rewatch the Acasta Trailer 2018 video below.

Lively now!

New Signal Flag Demonstration

Bring your spyglasses to the Jane Austen Fest July 13-15th 2018 so you can try your hand at sending and receiving messages ship to ship via period signal flags! This awesome new demo will be located near the Acasta naval camp all weekend. These images offer a sneak peek into the play-testing of the demonstration... we hope to see you there!

My 14 year-old daughter flew such vital signals as 'You are gross', 'You look like horse' and the ever popular 'I might mistake you for lizard'.

Signal from HMS Ramillies

The Acasta, in company with HMS Ramillies and Dotterel, was sent out from the Royal Navy Dockyard at Bermuda in search of an American Frigate that is reported to be in the area. We have been on the lookout for several days.

Today, the Ramillies came within sight and was flying her signal flags. Fetch your copy of Popham's Signal Book and translate that signal stright away! Be sure to post your results in the comment area below.

NO PEEKING IN THE COMMENTS BELOW UNTIL YOU HAVE IT WORKED OUT!

The Valiant's Storybook

"They've written us a proper storybook with this one sir!" said the midshipman as he looked across toward HMS Valiant, their signal flags whipping in the stiff breeze. It was enough breeze that they stood out straight and clear, it would make it easier to translate them.

"At least they're not all limp." said the boy as he started jotting the numbers down on his little slate for translation.

The Lieutenant of the watch frowned at the boy, but it was true, this message was fairly lengthy. Adding to his frustration, the Valiant had used several longer numbers that he didn't immediately recognize, he was going to have to fetch the book for this one.

HMS Ramillies is Signaling!

The Acasta, in company with HMS Ramillies and Dotterel, was sent out from the Royal Navy Dockyard at Bermuda in search of an American Frigate that is reported to be in the area. We have been on the lookout for several days.

Today, the Ramillies came within sight and was flying her signal flags. Fetch your copy of Popham's Signal Book and translate that signal straight away! Be sure to post your results in the comment area below.

Books in the Blockade

The library aboard the Acasta really is depressingly sparse. The other wardroom officers and I have worked out an arrangement that we might borrow books from one another to keep our minds active during the blockade. 

I have discover'd that this arrangement tends to work much in my own favour, as the lieutenants are not generally interested in reading up on Jones' Practical Remarks on the treatment of Wounds and Fractures, or Turnbull's System of Naval Surgery. 

As I believe I have read nearly everything that the gentlemen of the Wardroom have to offer, and have read nearly everything I can get my hands upon aboard ship (save for Mr Midshipman Calhoun's copy of 'The Young Sea Officer's Assistant' of which I have very little use), I have taken to reading up on the various instructional manuals.

Lately, I have taken to reading the Popham's Manual on Telegraphic Signals. I have also been on deck with my spyglass practicing the translation of said flags whenever the opportunity affords.

Friday's Toast

A calm, clear day today. Captain Frymann and the Captains of the other ships on the blockade had the Midshipmen practicing their signal flags for the majority of the afternoon. No sooner would a series of flags be hoisted then the boys would all have out their glasses, eagerly looking for the reply. All manner of mock orders were sent to and fro. 

An uneventful day at sea, followed by an equally uneventful dinner in the Wardroom. After the loyal toast, Lt. Hamilton gave the traditional Friday toast. We all drank with great gusto! We all enjoyed the possibility of prize money, and with several of our officers, the more 'willing foes' the better. 

A Christmas Eve Signal in 1812

Click to espy a larger version

Look there, the Poictiers is signaling us... what could this be about? 

I was looking forward to going below to partake of the Christmas pies that the Captain's steward has been working on all morning, and now this! 

Fetch me my Popham's, I'm the surgeon, decyphering signal flags isn't quite yet second nature to me.

Special thanks to Capt. Bertani's signal flag generator for the above graphic.

Friday's Toast

A calm, clear day today, clear enough to see the trees changing color ashore through ones glass.

Captain Frymann and the Captains of the other ships on the blockade had the Midshipmen practicing their signal flags for the majority of the afternoon. No sooner would a series of flags be hoisted then the boys would all have out their glasses, eagerly looking for the reply. All manner of mock orders were sent to and fro. 

An uneventful day at sea, followed by an equally uneventful dinner in the Wardroom. After the loyal toast, Lt. Hamilton gave the traditional Friday toast. We all drank with great gusto! We all enjoyed the possibility of prize money, and with several of our officers, the more 'willing foes' the better.

Can you decode the traditional Friday Toast via the signal flags above?

HMS Valiant signals

"The Flag is signaling sir," the young midshipman said as he looked across the water to the northeast at HMS Valiant, "and she's made our number."

"Very good Mr. Calhoun." Lieutenant Tumbusch called out from the focsle, where he was consulting with the master, "What do they have to say?"

Young Calhoun, the youngest of the Acasta's midshipmen, fumbled with the copy of Popham's book, attempting to hold the glass to his eye in one hand and the book in the other.

Fetch the Signal Book!

Signal Flags - These posts involve images and information having to do with this means of communication during the War of 1812. Sometimes they even involve fun messages to be decoded!

Another Signal from Ramillies

The Acasta, in company with HMS Ramillies and Dotterel, was sent out from the Royal Navy Dockyard at Bermuda in search of an American Frigate that is reported to be in the area. We have been on the lookout for a fortnight.

Today, the Ramillies came within sight again and was flying her signal flags.  You there! Fetch your copy of Popham's Signal Book and translate that signal straight away! Be sure to post your results in the comment area below. No peeking at the answers until you're done!