Naval Communications

A century ago, the US Navy was just beginning to use radio communications. Otherwise, ships could communicate with each other only within line of sight.

But signalling by Morse code was slow. Radio propagation might be intermittent due to weather, sun spots, Northern Lights, ionosphere changes and other poorly-understood phenomena.

A result of the slow speed and unreliability of high frequency (also known to civilians as short wave) naval communications was to impose controls over message length. Officers drafted naval messages as though they were paying for the transmissions out of their own pocket. Not just by the word, but by the letter.

Administrative communications were usually sent by mail, even though delays were frequent. If the matter was urgent, it might go by radio, but using a terse, telegraphic style. The task was not unlike that facing users of twitter.

Officers would often receive message orders to transfer from one duty station to another. A transfer message might say something like: "RELDET PROPORICH USS NEVERSAIL(BB-99) ARREPCODU."  Translation: "when relieved, detached. Proceed to the port in which USS Neversail (BB-99) may be located. On arrival, report to the commanding officer for duty."

Another approach was to use prowords - brief words combining several words into one. My favorite was "UNODIR."  As in: "UNODIR USS NEVERSAIL INTENDS PROCEED HONG KONG LIBERTY." Translation: "unless otherwise directed, USS Neversail intends...."  This required skillful timing. If sent too soon the Commodore might reply directing otherwise. Sent too late (for example, if Neversail is already entering Hong Kong) might bring down the wrath of the gods.

The modern day of satellite communications has doubtless removed some of a commanding officer's former flexibility.