Tosser

[E.Martin]

Do they still have Bunting Tossers in the Royal Navy,if not what is their equivalent ?.

[j.sabourn]

Thought they all came under the title yeoman of Signals. Still use the lamp, and maybe wrong but still may use semaphore. Any ex Navy personnel would answer this query. The lamp is still used in the MN as far as I know, but semaphore is not. Cheers JS

[Hugh]

When I was at sea in the mid 70s and mid 80s bunting tossers were part of our department (Comms). The RN has undergone a complete change now - not unsurprising - things move on. As far as I understand it, the duties of the Tactical Radio Operator (Bunting Tosser) has now moved to the Seamanship dept. The comms personnel are now called Communications and Information Systems (CIS) Specialists.

Lamp and visual signalling is still taught but not Semaphore.

Regards
Hugh

[j.sabourn]

Thinking back re British ships I was on, their means of visual morse signalling was by either the all round signalling light displayed from the top of a pole or on the cross trees of the signalling mast on the Monkey Island. This was considered the night time signalling method, or the Aldis lamp which was considered the Daylight signalling method, which also had different coloured shades that could be fitted to same. The all round light was used from a permanent button on the bulkhead or on a wandering lead. It was usual however to use the Aldis as this was directional and other ships in the area could not follow the conversation. I rather think the all round signalling lamp was a BOT requirement, but may be wrong. Anyhow it seemed to get less use than the Aldis. JS

[Ivan Cloherty]

Used the all round light in the 1956 convoys to send a code for pre arranged changes of course. Perhaps also a useful light for sending S O S if you were in trouble but couldn't see any other ships

[Evan Lewis]

Thanks to joining the local Sea Cadet Corps. A great organisation. We were given the rudiments of Morse and Semaphore. And Then when ,going to in particular a Camp. At H.M.S Glengower , Pwllelli . (Butlins,taken over by the Admiralty)

Being instructed in use of the Lead line ," by the Mark" etc. also Boatwork. As Just in from the Entrance ,was a very big, Pool. with , Mast and rigging etc.
Years later, When on look-out For'd. B.T.C. Warm nights .Red Sea. lots of visual communication going on between Ships .
Depending on the Aldis's angle , It was quite possible to read both senders messages.
The main inspiration being, apart from the boredom,to re-learn the Code Was when after leaving the Gulf , with "Lands End. For Orders" fter a few days . One would think. '"I wonder if they know ,up there. Where we might ,by now ,be heading for?"
Must admit.re. the Posting ,some months ago,now. featuring the Message ,flashed in Morse. Was unable to follow it .Too Fast!

[j.sabourn]

Sitting in a hospital ward every day for 4 days, a week or so ago, used to hear this dah dah dit dit, on some patient in some other ward ringing for the nurse. Subconciously thought it was G in the morse code, but on reflection G is dah dah dit if I remember correctly. If it had been dah dah dit dit dit it would of been the numeral 7. Don't believe there is a Dah Dah dit dit in the morse code unless I am going senile faster than expected and as well as cant see the wood for the trees cant now hear them also. G incidentally is I require a Pilot, so maybe in the back of my mind someone was ringing for this famous Sky Pilot. As regards the hand leadline Evan always remember had 5 Marks and 7 Deeps, I think. 10 fathoms being a leather with a hole in it. There again senility might be winning here, the marks were 3 5 7 and 10 so am missing one somewhere. Cheers JS

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi All.
I thought that a few years ago they did away with Morse? I thought that it would be all wireless now, if it is gone who would teach it anymore?
Cheers Des

[j.sabourn]

Evans sea scouts. As regards radio most is voice only or nautical email. As far as I know morse on the lamp was 6 words a minute send and receive. If they have done away with see your point. The RN was anything up to 3 times that speed. They wouldn't get any competition from the average mate. Cheers JS

[j.sabourn]

How about the expression I aint got a tosser. Does that mean I aint got no bunting. JS