The Semaphore Code, which is a development of the old land “telegraph” lines, is limited to visual signaling, and over comparatively short distance. It is, however, the fastest method of flag signaling, and is an important companion code for wigwag. It has been a traditional code in the Coast Guard, the Army, and the Navy. It was in this latter branch of the service that it reached its highest point of development because of its rapidity and simplicity in the exchange of messages between ships of the fleet when they were in close formation.
