Signal flags are used by ships to communicate over long distances. It has developed along with the large, long range vessels that drove the age of exploration over the last few centuries. Prior to the standardization of signal flags, communications between ships could primarily only be done by shouting loudly, a means of communication so limited that even some of the larger modern warships must relay orders given at the stern to crew in the bow though someone stationed amidships.
Early Use
Signal Flags have been used in military formations since ancient times, communicating pre-defined orders to units on the battlefield that may be too far from their commander to hear a shouted order. Over time, new applications of this form of signal flag were found - signalling outposts on high hills using fires or large banners could relay a handful of critical messages, warning of enemy invasions or disasters that required an immediate and coordinated response. But it wasn't until maratime travel grew increasingly important that more complex messaging systems were developed.
Nautical Development
Nautical signal flags first saw widespread use in ports, signals between a harbourmaster and harbour pilots indicating where a ship should be docked. This still required a harbour pilot as each harbour used its own flag system to direct shipping to appropriate parts of the harbour, but this did allow for much more efficient operation of each harbour, communicating things like heavy cargo that would benefit from cranes, a damaged ship in need of repairs, passengers and their social status, and other such information that would inform their optimal docking position.
Standardization largely came about accidentally. The harbourmasters and naval captains of
Tulwood, recognizing the critical importance of commerce and naval power to the ongoing independence of the region, developed a system of 37 signal flags and how they were to be operated in various circumstances. This granted room for not only harbour messaging, but also commands to be used in naval formations like "form the line" and other commands for arranging combat maneuvers, navigational signals like "follow precisely behind," to indicate a safe path through reefs, and queries like "state your intentions," which was originally meant as a polite inquiry, but has since developed into a demand with an implied threat behind it. Additionally, the array of 37 flags represents the 26 letters of the alphabet used in Tulwood's language, the digits 0-9, and a general punctuation flag. To communicate the flags are being used to spell out a custom message, the punctuation flag is the first flag flown; this flag is also used as a gap between words and doubled up for commas, periods, etc. When not spelling words, it indicates a second set of instructions to be followed after the completion of the first set.
This system was to be used by every Tulwood harbour pilot, navy ship, or merchant ship flying the free city's flag. As Tulwood's trading influence grew, the various trading associations operating out of the city started setting up outposts wherever they might wish to put in to port. Sometimes this involved buying up a section of a larger harbour, other times it meant founding a company port town. And naturally, the Tulwood signalling system would be used in these ports as well. Over time, it became so widespread that other harbours simply adopted it. Today, the Tulwood system has developed into an internationally recognized system, recognized by every experienced sailor across the known world.
Comments