This display case, a tribute to the late CY Chris Rickard, contains Chris's RNCCA Jacket and was very kindly donated by the members of the RNCCA of which Chris was a member. Also in the case are Chris's History Sheet. The set of Semaphore Flags in front of the display case belonged to Chris and which he used during Beth Derbyshire's 'Messenger Project.'
Fleet Disposition Board
Introduced in 1874 on HMS VICTORY, worked manually, by use of the operator holding the arms in the appropirate position. 6 feet in height and constructed of rather cumbersome sprockets and chains made to a special Admiralty pattern. In 1941 the firm of Thomas Haywood realized that ordinary bicycle chains would be cheaper and equally effective. Sets such as this were delivered to the Signal School at Chatham to be used as a training aid. In 1942, HMS CABBALA installed small mechanical semaphores for training V/S Wrens, just a year before mechanical semaphores were finally withdrawn from ships to save top-weight. This is one of the few remaining mechanical semaphores, as used at both the Signal School at Chatham and HMS CABBALA, and is identical to the bigger mechanical semaphores .
The Paget Patent Portable Nautical Instructional Cabinet
It is thought that this Paget Patent Portable Nautical Instructional Cabinet was used for Navigator training in HMS Mercury. It was invented by B.T. Paget of 16a Hart Street, Henley-on-Thames, Oxon in 1952/53. The patent applied for in 1952 and granted in 1953. The cabinet was listed as a Signalling Teaching Aid. It contains a basic set of flags for which hoists could be made up and 'hung' on the right hand door. It is believed that its prime purpose was for the teaching of Navigation as it provided a significant number of Navigation markers and also displayed various masthead light configurations
