Semaphore is a method of long-distance communication or telegraphy. Members of the Newfoundland Royal Naval Reserve would have been taught how to signal using semaphore during their training on the HMS Calypso, along with many other maritime communication techniques.
The semaphore system uses visual signals and hand-held flags to send messages. A signal person holds their arms and flags in different positions to indicate letters of the alphabet and numbers.
When semaphore is used at sea the flag used is “Oscar”, from the International Code of Signals. When it is performed on land the flag used is “Papa”.
Flag semaphore can even be performed with NO flags! If you want to make your own flags – check out our Maritime Signal Flag video – you can attach your flags to drumstick or a skewer to make the perfect semaphore flags!
Take a look at the semaphore alphabet and learn to send some socially distanced messages!
Be sure to check out our friends at the Canadian War Museum for more ideas on how to make a semaphore flag set https://tinyurl.com/szcemo8.
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