F*L*A*G*S
The following flags are international signals used by ships at sea. They can be used to spell out short messages, or more commonly, used individually or in combination they have special meanings. Strung end to end and hung bow to stern from the rigging they are used to dress the ship for ceremonial and festive occasions.
Alphabet flags
A; 
B; 
C; 
D; 
E;
F; 
G; 
H; 
I; 
J;
K; 
L; 
M; 
N; 
O;
P; 
Q; 
R; 
S; 
T;
U; 
V; 
W; 
X; 
Y;
Z;
Answering Pennant
The answering pennant is used as a decimal point when sending numeric data.
Close up (top of mast), the receiving vessel indicates she understands the hoist. At the end of the signal it indicates that the message is complete.
At dip(half masted), hoisted by receiving vessel as each hoist of the transmitting ship is seen.
Numeric Pennant
0; 
1; 
2; 
3;
4; 
5; 
6; 
7;
8; 
9;
Substitute Pennants
substitute 1; 
substitute 2; 
substitute 3;
The first substitute repeats the upper flag or pennant of a hoist, the second substitute repeats the second flag or pennant, and so on.
Weather Indicator Pennants
Weather Pennants appear either individually or as doubles. When displayed as a pair, they indicate a more severe warning.
Small Craft Warning up to 38 mph winds
Gale Warning 39 - 54 mph Winds
Storm Warning 55 - 73 mph Winds
Hurricane Warning 74+ mph Winds
Initial Image preparation taken from Jim Croft.
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