cover image

Flag semaphore

System to transmit information by hand / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:

Can you list the top facts and stats about Flag semaphore?

Summarize this article for a 10 years old

SHOW ALL QUESTIONS

Flag semaphore (from the Ancient Greek σῆμα (sêma) 'sign' and -φέρω (-phero) '-bearer'[1]) is a semaphore system conveying information at a distance by means of visual signals with hand-held flags, rods, disks, paddles, or occasionally bare or gloved hands. Information is encoded by the position of the flags; it is read when the flag is in a fixed position. Semaphores were adopted and widely used (with hand-held flags replacing the mechanical arms of shutter semaphores) in the maritime world in the 19th century.[2] It is still used during underway replenishment at sea and is acceptable for emergency communication in daylight or using lighted wands instead of flags, at night.[citation needed]

US_Navy_051129-N-0685C-007_Quartermaster_Seaman_Ryan_Ruona_signals_with_semaphore_flags_during_a_replenishment_at_sea.jpg
A US Navy crewman signals the letter 'U' using flag semaphore during an underway replenishment exercise (2005)