PURCELL, Commander Steamship Gaelic to Mes, March 27, 1875

Gentlemen: In reply to yours of the 19th ult., with regard to fog-signals, I have the honor to inclose the opinions of my senior officers, and to give you my own.

• One short blast of whistle or horn, “I am porting,”
• Two short blasts of whistle or horn, “I am starboarding,” are very good, and should be made compulsory.
• Three short blasts, “Take care,” “I am taking care,” is superfluous. More care and vigilance is usually exercised by all officers in a fog.
• Four short blasts, “Going full speed astern,” or “In stays,” might be made by the third, did time admit; it must be remembered that the velocity of sound is much retarded by fog, and when a whistle or horn is heard, the distance between two ships is not enough to allow of a number of signals being made and interpreted. To avoid collision, action must be prompt. The first signal, one blast, indicates the position of a ship and her action; so does the second; they are simple, and I believe, under the usual circumstances in a fog, sufficient for safety; the two last would be perplexing among a fleet of ships.

I am of opinion that the interval of three minutes between the blasts is too long, and should not be more than two.

I have, &c.,