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David Craddock
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What Ship, Where Bound?: A History of Visual Communication at Sea Kindle Edition

by David Craddock (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 22 ratings
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A colorful history of visual signalling methods used at sea, from AD 900 to today.

What Ship, Where Bound? takes its title from the familiar opening exchange of signals between passing ships, and celebrates the long history of visual communications at sea. It traces the visual language of signalling from the earliest naval banners or streamers used by the Byzantines in AD 900 through to morse signalling still used at sea today.

The three sections, Flag Signalling, Semaphore, and Light Signalling each trace the development of the respective methods in meeting the needs of commanders for secure and unambiguous communication with their fleets. Though inextricably linked to naval tactics and fleet manoeuvres, the history of signalling at sea also reflects the exponential growth in global maritime trade in the nineteenth century when dozens of competing systems vied for the attention of ship owners and led to a huge proliferation of codes.

By setting each method in the context of its time, the book explores their practical use, successes and shortcomings and, particularly in the case of signal flags – though by no means exclusively so – their place in our visual, cultural and maritime heritage. Covering a wide spectrum of visual signalling methods from false fire, through shapes, furled sails and coloured flags to experiments in high speed text messaging by signal lamp, the book also examines the complex interrelation between all three methods under battle conditions. A detailed analysis of visual signal exchanges before and during the Battle of Jutland reveals both the success and ultimate limitations on flag signalling at the limits of visibility.

Extensively and beautifully illustrated, the book will appeal to present and former mariners familiar with the signals, all those with an interest in naval and maritime history, with particular emphasis on late eighteenth-century signalling practice, artists and ship modellers, graphic designers and all those involved in visual communications today.

“A brief but colorful history of the signaling at sea and ashore, with much emphasis on the use of flags, semaphore, and telegraph in the age of sail, and how these have evolved through the ages. . . . A fascinating addition to the literature of the sea.” —Warships: International Fleet Review
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  1. Print length
    98 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Seaforth Publishing
  5. Publication date
    January 30, 2021
  6. File size
    90340 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
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  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"This inexpensive little book is beautifully illustrated in color to introduce readers to the evolving methods used by ships to communicate with each other visually…. It is a delightfully written and illustrated book that will appeal to a wide readership including naval professionals, historians, yachtsmen, modelers, and artists. Thoroughly recommended." --Australian Naval Institute

"What Ship, Where Bound? is a brief but colorful history of the signaling at sea and ashore, with much emphasis on the use of flags, semaphore, and telegraph in the age of sail, and how these have evolved through the ages…. A fascinating addition to the literature of the sea." --Warships: International Fleet Review

"What Ship, Where Bound? is consistently fascinating and thought-provoking. Suddenly the phrase 'Flag Officer' takes on a new significance. Highly recommended." --Yachting Monthly

"The book is not only written but designed by David, is easy to read and is most attractively presented.... It will, as the book's publicity, puts it 'both enlighten and entertain.'" --The Pangbournian Society

About the Author

DAVID CRADDOCK began his working life at sea as a cadet with P&O during which time he had plenty of practice with the signal exchange that would become the title of this, his first book. A subsequent career as a graphic designer in the museums and heritage sector and an abiding interest in our maritime history has led him to explore the theme of visual communication at sea drawing on the twin strands of his own experience. He is a member of the Society for Nautical Research and has recently become a trustee of the Britannia Museum at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08WRNPBGN
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Seaforth Publishing (January 30, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 30, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 90340 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 98 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 22 ratings

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David Craddock

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
22 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Stuart Rathbone
5.0 out of 5 stars Great signals primer
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2021
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Excellent little book. Very clear and concise, with wonderful illustrations throughout. I doubt there's a better primer to this subject currently available.
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Carolyn Michaud
4.0 out of 5 stars All was fine
Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2021
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On time delivery, great condition.
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Top reviews from other countries

P
5.0 out of 5 stars Bunting Tossers will love this book.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 2, 2022
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Bunting Tosser by the way is not an offensive term, it's a nickname that refers to Royal Navy Communications Radio Operators (Tactical) ratings who specialised in visual communications. Flag waver or Flag waggers is another term. Alas this branch of the Royal Navy no longer exists. A good and informative book, well written and recommended.
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H. L.
5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting and informative to read for anyone interested in maritime history
Reviewed in Germany on November 13, 2021
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This book is highly recommendable because it is very informative for the expert and also exciting to read for any other person interested in maritime history. David Craddock describes the development of visual communication at sea, which is not only signalling via flags but also via lights or semaphore. The book is discussing the reasons and purposes of different signal codes in their times, but also pointing to their limits which fostered innovation. The chapter on signals in popular culture of our days gives proof the open mind of its author. Especially the selection of episodes on the less successful us of signals is fascinating as here David Craddock reaches out beyond the repetition of the well-known Trafalgar-signal-story. Depicting different codes systems, the book is helpful when history meets art. If one has ever tried to decipher the flags’ meanings in 19th and early 20th century ship portraits, “What ship, where bound?” will give a very well written introduction.
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Dr. H
5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 4, 2022
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A delightful and highly informative book whether read from cover to cover or just dipped in to.
I would highly recommend it to anyone with a nautical interest.
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M. C. Williams
3.0 out of 5 stars Not What I thought!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 16, 2021
Verified Purchase
Although this is a highly colourful publication, it is probably more for those interested in the history of flags and a deeper interest in fleet manoeuvres than me.

Interesting, but not what I anticipated it would be.
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