[Charleston March 9, 1776]
Signals ー Light house and Sullivans Island have exactly the same Colours to make Signals with, namely, a Small
Narrow blue Pendant
Broad blue ditto or Flagg
a Small red Pendant
Light house only makes Signals,
Sullivans Makes & repeats signals excepting when any sail is seen to the northward of the Island in that case and that only a Signal will be kept standing till the Vessel or Vessels so seen comes so far to the Southward as to be Open to the Town & no longer
When a Sloop or Schooner |
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The Narrow blue Pendant |
When a Brigg or Snow |
Is Seen |
The blue Jack or flagg |
When a Ship or 3 Masts |
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Red Pendant |
And if more Vessels than One are seen the Signal for the largest Vessel will be kept standing as long as it is above directed. Johnsons Fort will hoist the Old common blue Fort Flagg, or Jack when a Coasting Schooner or Sloop is Seen at the Flagg Staff two thirds up, If not coasters the same Flagg will be hoisted quite up, in both these cases this Flagg will be hoisted and lower'd as often as there are Sloops or Schooners seen at intervals of about five Minutes each, If One, two, or, three Brigantines, are seen as many small White Pendants will be hoisted on so many long Poles, so as to be seen by the People of the Town. If One, two, or three Snows, as many small blue Pendants in like Manner, If One, two, or three Ships, as many Red Pendants, If more than three Ships, Briggs, or Snows, are seen, If Briggs for instance and there are spare Signals of the other two Sorts the Spare Signals are to be placed between the white Signals which are used for Briggs, and so of the rest. The Small Pendants are to be kept Standing till the Vessels are either out of sight or else come in and pass the Fort. Whenever any of these pendants are hoisted a Jack with a White field & Red Cross will be hoisted at the same time quite up at the Flagg Staff, If Merchant Men. If Men of War the New Provincial Flagg will be hoisted & lowered as many times as there are Men of War seen. Whenever any of the foregoing standing Signals are macle a small pendant will be hoisted & kept standing on the Barracks at Col: [Christopher] Gadsdens Wharf, as long as such standing Signal is kept up either at Johnsons Fort or at Sullivans Island; Observe all other Signals that may be seen besides the Above, will be mostly Signals made and repeated or Answer'd between the Light house, Sullivans Island, & Fort Johnson upon the first discerning of any Vessels.
N B. A Gun will be fired from the Battery at Col. Laurens's Wharf and at the same time a Jack or Flagg hoisted on the Barracks at Gadsdens Wharf is a Signal for all Officers and others in the Provincial Service who are in or near Town to repair immediately to their respective Posts.
(Sign'd) Christopher Gadsden.