Flag Semaphore

Also found in: Wikipedia.

The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Semaphore, Flag

one of the forms of visual communication, based on the transmission of letters, digits, or auxiliary signals by the position or motion of flags held by the signaler; Russian, Latin, and other semaphore alphabets may be used. Flag semaphore can be used to send messages at a rate of 60 to 70 symbols per min over an operating range of approximately 2.5 km. Flags of various colors are used depending on the background. Flag semaphore is used at sea (chiefly by the navy) and by the military on land.

Mentioned in ?

References in periodicals archive ?

People will be able to try their hand at cracking a secret code using a Caesar Wheel and communicate a message to their friends using Flag Semaphore at the Code Station set up there.

Come and crack the codes

Lloyd's Signal Tower ceased its flag semaphore operations in 1969 and is now owned by the National Trust.

HOLIDAY HOME SENDS A CLEAR SIGNAL

Caption: Flag Semaphore perhaps on the Maid of the Mist might make an elegant 'connect' with voters.

Scott seeks to connect with city voters through modern methods

The flag semaphore system of visual communication was not introduced to the U.S.

Think you know your Wig-wag from your Semaphore system

album cover features the group with their arms positioned to spell out a word in flag semaphore but it does not read "help", as many believed.

Showbiz

Lieutenant Commander Tamara Lawrence said it was a "passing exercise," which typically includes flag semaphore drills, navigation and other exercises focused on "basic seamanship."

Mullen flies to China as US plans naval exercise

This system was called flag semaphore. Different messages were conveyed depending on the position in which a person was holding the flags.