1472
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 43

51. Parallax.
52. Semi-diameter.
53. Augmentation of
    moon’s semi-dia-
    meter.
54. Magnetic meridian.
55. True course of a ship.
56. Magnetic course.
57. Compass course.
58. Variation of the com-
    pass.
59. Deviation of the com-
    pass, and how it is
    caused.
60. The error of the com-
    pass.
61. Lee-way.
62. Does the variation
    change with time?
63. Is the variation the
    same all over the
    world?
64. Where do you find
    variation?
65. Does the deviation
    change; if so, when?
66. Where is the north
    magnetic pole situ-
    ated?
67. Where is the south
    magnetic pole situ-
    ated?
68. Should the compass-
    needle point to the
    magnetic or the
    true pole of the
    earth?
69. When is the altitude
    of an object most
    seriously affected
    by refraction?
70. Where is the Pole
    Star situated?
71. Which is the most
    favourable time for
    determining the
    hour angle of a
    celestial body, and
    thence the longi-
    tude, and state the
    reason why
72. Describe the construc-
    tion of a mariner’s
    compass.
73. Describe an azimuth
    compass.
74. Describe a pelorus,
    and its use.
75. Describe a chrono-
    meter, and its use.

APPENDIX D.

INTERNATIONAL CODE OF SIGNALS.

Examiners are recommended to frame the exami-
nation in the International Code of Signals upon the
instructions and illustrations given at the commence-
ment of Parts I. and II. of the Signal-book. The
information there given will be found sufficient to
indicate all the characteristics of the Code.

By the form of the hoist, an observer can at sight
understand the nature of any signal he sees flying;
the examination should therefore tend to elicit a
clear knowledge of all the distinctive features of the
Code.

With this object in view, the Examiners should
question the candidates as to the distinguishing forms
of the respective hoists, which will be indicated ac-
cording as a burgee, a pennant, or a square flag
is uppermost, and also with regard to the number of
flags, and the position of the code-flag when used
in the hoist; making the 1, 2, 3, and 4 flag signals
on the models supplied for the purpose, and varying
the signals made, showing 2 and 3 flag signals, with
and without the Code flag included, or a geographical
or a vocabulary signal, the name of a merchant ship,
or of a ship of war.

As the two latter signals would not be found in
the Signal-book, the candidate should know where
to find them, and then be required to read them from
the Code List of Ships.

The candidate should (a) be able to read a signal
at sight, so far as to name the flags composing the
hoist; (b) know the use of the Code pennant and of
the pennants C and D, “Yes” and “No,” also of
the two burgees A and B, and the square flags S and
P, and the flags used to indicate cholera, plague, &c.,
on board, and the quarantine flag; (c) be required
to signal some word or words not included in the
vocabulary of the Code either by letters or by the
spelling-table (page 516) or both; (d) have a know-
ledge of the distant signals and of their object, and
the different modes of signalling therewith; and
be required to make, and read off, one or two signals
on the models supplied for this purpose; (e) under-
stand the Morse Code, and know the special signals
indicated by certain letters as given on page 550;
(f) have a good knowledge of the distress signals,
and understand the penalty which may be incurred
by their improper use.

The ball being the distinguishing symbol of the
distant signal, any pennants of flags may be used
in conjunction with it irrespective of colour, when
employed as an alternative for the cone and drum,
but the latter should always be used where prac-
ticable.

The International Code is used on board His Ma-
esty’s ships, and it has been adopted by all the
principal maritime powers for their public as well as
their private ships.

SEMaphores.

Plates 1 and 2, Part II., of the Signal-book explain
the method by which the arms of the semaphore are
made to represent by their position with respect to
the indicator the four symbols used for distant
signalling—viz., a ball, a cone point upwards, a cone
point downwards, and a drum.

Before making signals with the semaphore, the black
disc with a white ring should be placed on the top of
the semaphore mast, and the indicator shown on the
proper side.

A list of the countries to which messages will be
forwarded by the French semaphore-stations, with
the tariff, will be found on page 548 of the Signal-
book.

NOTE.—The International Code of Signals, with
the Code list, is prepared by the Registrar-General
of Shipping and Seamen, and may be obtained of
the Publishers, Messrs. Spottiswoode and Co., 54,
Gracechurch Street, London, and the principal book-
sellers at the various ports.

The Official Mercantile Navy List and Maritime
Directory may be obtained in like manner, price 12s.

APPENDIX E.

REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS AT
SEA.

(Order in Council of the 27th November, 1896.)

SCHEDULE I.

Preliminary.

These rules shall be followed by all vessels upon the
high seas, and in all waters connected therewith
navigable by sea-going vessels.

In the following rules every steam-vessel which is
under sail and not under steam is to be considered
a sailing-vessel, and every vessel under steam,
whether under sail or not, is to be considered a
steam-vessel.

The word “steam-vessel” shall include any vessel
propelled by machinery.

A vessel is “under way” within the meaning of
these rules when she is not at anchor or made fast to
the shore or aground.