By an order which came into force in 1898, regulating the navigation of Southampton Water, all sailing vessels must give way to steamers of 1000 tons or over. On the Thames and Mersey there has for some time existed an unwritten law to the same effect, which it is expected will shortly receive the sanction of the legislation.
The following are the Board of Trade regulations relating to pilot signals:—
In the daytime.—The following signals, numbered
1 and 2, when used or displayed together or
separately, shall be deemed to be signals for a pilot
in the daytime:—
1. To be hoisted at the fore, the jack or other national colour usually worn by merchant ships, having round it a white border, one-fifth of the breadth of the flag; or
2. The international code pilotage signal, indicated by P.T.
At night.—The following signals, numbered 1 and 2, when used or displayed together or separately, shall be deemed to be signals for a pilot at night:—
1. The pyrotechnic light, commonly known as a blue light, every fifteen minutes; or
2. A bright white light, flashed or shown at short or frequent intervals, just above the bulwarks, for about a minute at a time.
