ber 2, and so on.

PREPARATORY.--Over hoist. Prepare to execute subjoined order.

INTERROGATION.--Alone. What is that signal? or "I don't
understand--repeat." Above hoist puts signal in interrogative sense.

ANSWERING.--Flown by ship receiving message indicates that signal is
understood.

AFFIRMATIVE.--Alone. Yes. Above hoist puts message in affirmative or
permissive sense.

NEGATIVE.--Alone. No. Above hoist puts message in negative sense.

MEAL or NUMERAL.--Alone. Crew at mess. Above or below hoist--the numeral
flags are to be taken as numbers simply.

CONVOY.--Alone at fore, means naval convoy. Above hoist means use navy
list.

POSITION.--In manoeuvres, hoisted by each ship as it gets into position
ordered; lowered when next ship gets into place.

GUARD or GUIDE.--As its name implies--flown by guard or guide ship.

TELEGRAPH.--Use telegraph list.

DESPATCH or GEOGRAPHICAL.--Alone at fore, indicates that the ship flying
it is carrying despatches. Above hoist. Use geographical list.

CORNET.--Alone. Ship about to sail. Over number. Official number of
ship.

GENERAL RECALL.--Recalls all small boats.

POWDER.--Hoisted alone in port. Taking powder on board. Alone at sea.
Distress.

RATING MARKS IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY.

THE INSIGNIA OF RANK OF COMMISSIONED, WARRANT, AND PETTY OFFICERS.

There are four classes of officers in the United States navy, and each
has its own distinguishing mark.

The commissioned officers of the line.

The commissioned corps.

The warrant officers.

The petty officers.

The first two classes are graduates of Annapolis, or regularly
commissioned by the Government. The last two are composed of enlisted
men who have been promoted.

The rank device of the commissioned officers is worn on the
shoulder-knot of the full dress uniform and on the collar of the service
coat.

The marks are as follows:

[Illustration: REAR-ADMIRAL.]

Foul anchor with silver stars at ends; and one stripe of gold lace two
inches wide, and one of one-half inch wide above it, on sleeves.

[Illustration: COMMODORE.]

A star with a foul anchor at either side of it; and one stripe of gold
lace two inches wide on sleeves.

[Illustration: CAPTAIN.]

A spread eagle with foul anchor at either side. Four one-half-inch
stripes of gold lace on sleeves.

[Illustration: COMMANDER.]

Foul anchor with silver oak leaves at ends. Three stripes of half-inch
gold lace on sleeves.

LIEUTENANT-COM