Hi,
Meanwhile, when your BS detector goes off, you need to check snopes. Like here or here.
BTW, while books can be a good source, remember that anyone can write a book and that they are *not* peer reviewed. As far as I know, only one book claims to be 'gospel', and it is filled with nonsense and lies.
--Pete
EDIT: Thinking back to my sea scout days, I seem to remember that signal flags are also folded into a cocked hat. There is some material left over after the last full triangular fold which is tucked under the last fold. Only the grommets by which the flag is bent to the halyard remain out. The flags are hauled up folded, with the tuck helping to keep them so, and then all the flags are exposed at once with a snap of the halyard. There were a number of reasons for this. the cocked hat with tuck helped to keep the flags neat in their locker. Raising them folded help to prevent them fouling each other or the rigging (especially important in the hemp rope days). And, in naval operations, the opening of the flags was the moment of action. This is somewhat important in fleet actions when the ships were in line, for if the flags were unfurled as they were being raised, the ships closest to the admiral's (hence 'flagship') would get the word first and further away ships would see it later. However, because of the limited visibility in sail ships in line ahead, 'repeater' frigates where often used. I have no idea of the details.
One of my favorite stories of Lord Nelson has to do with signal flags: From the article on Nelson:
Parker sent the signal for Nelson to withdraw, . . .
Nelson . . . then turned to his flag captain, Thomas Foley and said 'You know, Foley, I have only one eye. I have a right to be blind sometimes.' He raised the telescope to his blind eye, and said 'I really do not see the signal.'
That statement has passed down in British naval tradition as "I see no flag."
Quote:" . . . folk theories and traditions abound . . .That just about sums it up. As to the colors, check out the Union Jack.
Meanwhile, when your BS detector goes off, you need to check snopes. Like here or here.
BTW, while books can be a good source, remember that anyone can write a book and that they are *not* peer reviewed. As far as I know, only one book claims to be 'gospel', and it is filled with nonsense and lies.
--Pete
EDIT: Thinking back to my sea scout days, I seem to remember that signal flags are also folded into a cocked hat. There is some material left over after the last full triangular fold which is tucked under the last fold. Only the grommets by which the flag is bent to the halyard remain out. The flags are hauled up folded, with the tuck helping to keep them so, and then all the flags are exposed at once with a snap of the halyard. There were a number of reasons for this. the cocked hat with tuck helped to keep the flags neat in their locker. Raising them folded help to prevent them fouling each other or the rigging (especially important in the hemp rope days). And, in naval operations, the opening of the flags was the moment of action. This is somewhat important in fleet actions when the ships were in line, for if the flags were unfurled as they were being raised, the ships closest to the admiral's (hence 'flagship') would get the word first and further away ships would see it later. However, because of the limited visibility in sail ships in line ahead, 'repeater' frigates where often used. I have no idea of the details.
One of my favorite stories of Lord Nelson has to do with signal flags: From the article on Nelson:
Parker sent the signal for Nelson to withdraw, . . .
Nelson . . . then turned to his flag captain, Thomas Foley and said 'You know, Foley, I have only one eye. I have a right to be blind sometimes.' He raised the telescope to his blind eye, and said 'I really do not see the signal.'
That statement has passed down in British naval tradition as "I see no flag."
How big was the aquarium in Noah's ark?