Model Boat Mayhem

Mess Deck: General Section => Chit-Chat => Topic started by: bigfella on July 11, 2008, 11:11:26 pm

Title: Whoop, whoop, whoop and other Navy signals???
Post by: bigfella on July 11, 2008, 11:11:26 pm: Hi All

I am interested to know what some Navy signals mean? I am under the impression that Destroyers make a sound like whoop, whoop, whoop. Is it just Destroyers? What does it mean? Are there any other interesting signals that other ships make and what do they mean and what is the history behind them?? I ask this because I am not from a Navy background as may Father was in the British Army and has told me of his days and experiences and even he has asked the same question.

Regards David
Title: Re: Whoop, whoop, whoop and other Navy signals???
Post by: RickF on July 11, 2008, 11:55:59 pm: I am sure there are far more qualified persons amongst our membership whocould answer this, but the following are some of the current signals:

One short blast = “I am altering my course to starboard”
Two short blasts = “I am altering my course to port”
Three short blast = “I am going astern”
Two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast = “I intend to overtake you on your starboard side”
Two prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts = “I intend to overtake you on your port side”
Five short and rapid blasts = "I am unsure what you intend", or "we are on a collision course"

Rick
Title: Re: Whoop, whoop, whoop and other Navy signals???
Post by: banjo on July 12, 2008, 01:10:58 am: ;D

A white light accompanied by a loud ringing on a bell.....you are about to be knocked over by a matelot on a bike.
A red light accompanied by a fading ringing on a bell...you have been knocked over by a matelot on a bike.
Title: Re: Whoop, whoop, whoop and other Navy signals???
Post by: tobyker on July 12, 2008, 06:45:13 pm: From captain of target towing tug to captain of very inaccurate destroyer on gunnery trials.
"We aim to please.
You aim too, please."
Title: Re: Whoop, whoop, whoop and other Navy signals???
Post by: polaris on July 12, 2008, 07:20:58 pm: Dear David,

I believe the 'whoop' was nearly exclusive to destroyers, but I would like to know what HMS Belfast (& other similar cruisers), would have used between 1939 - 45. I presume a single and very loud compressed air or hp steam siren???

Regards, Bernard
Title: Re: Whoop, whoop, whoop and other Navy signals???
Post by: Roger in France on July 12, 2008, 07:26:39 pm: One "whoop" = Jack has spotted a good looking girl....

Two "whoops" = Jack thinks he is in with a chance...

Three "whoops" = Jack is in hot pursuit...

One long "whoop", on a descending cadence = Jack has been frustrated yet again.

Roger in France.
Title: Re: Whoop, whoop, whoop and other Navy signals???
Post by: Bryan Young on July 12, 2008, 07:53:59 pm: Quite happy with the interpretations of the signals. But the whistle itself was a bit different to the usual straight tube thing. We had one on "Norseman" and "Lady Dennison Pender" that we used to use when other ships got a bit close. If you tried to do a sustained blast you would only get a high whistle and a complaint from the clankies that you were wasting steam. Short bursts were perfect. I wish we still had them......but we have no steam.
Title: Re: Whoop, whoop, whoop and other Navy signals???
Post by: bigfella on July 13, 2008, 10:29:53 am: Thanks for all the replies guys. I can now go and tell my father, who is in hospital at the moment, all about these signals.

Regards David
Title: Re: Whoop, whoop, whoop and other Navy signals???
Post by: malcolmfrary on July 13, 2008, 11:12:58 pm: I was told that the changing tone of the whoop was due to the steam changing the temperature of the pipe, and thus the resonance.