Thanks guys, very informative.
4. (7:40) A command is called to raise the White Enson, it sounds like, "Pipe the Silk." ~ does that sound right?
5. (7:50) A seaman yells " Hands to station for leaving harbour. Special sea duty men close up."
~ Who are the Special sea duty men and what does it mean to "close up?"
6. (9:25) As the ship starts to leave harbour, a command is called "Key 49 hoist", which I take to be the ships ident No.
~ Is that the norm that navel vessels only fly identity flags when under way?
7. The officer that calls out the above, is on the compass platform, who is he and what's his duty?
8. Does anyone have they layout diagram of a Flower class Covettet?
Re Original question 4 - In the RN you cannot salute or return a salute from a junior properly unless wearing the prescribed headgear. Caps are worn inside the ship for formal occasions such as Captain's requestmen or defaulters (when plenty of salutes take place) but not otherwise. I presume that scene was in just to show how inexperienced the junior officer was.
Re latest q4 - I suspect it was "Pipe the Still" (i haven't got the film to hand to check) which is to indicate that everyone on the upper decks should stand to attention on the upper deck while Colours is taking place.
Q5 - Special Sea Duty Men are those members of the ship's company pre allocated specific tasks which require extra skill or training because the ship is in a situation requiring extra care and/or additional people closed up beyond that in normal cruising watches - for example sounding the depth, someone to manage the engine orders seperately from steering the ship etc.
Q6 - Perhaps "Kay 49 hoist" ? Warships hoist their pennant numbers in confined waters to make it easier for other ships and the port control authorities to see who you are.
Q7 - Again without seeing the film again not sure who exactly but this order would normally come from the Yeoman (a Petty officer) or Leading Signalman depending on whether Compass Rose was big enough to have a Yeoman or not. He is responsible for overseeing all the visual signalling that needs to take place.
If you want more of this sort of thing watch "In which we Serve" next!
Francis Macnaughton