422
Colonial Merchant vessels refuse to show her national colours to one of Ster Majesty's ships, the name of the master or owners of the vessel are to be ascertained and one or more affidavits of the facts are to be taken on the best evidence before a Consul or other competent authority and transmitted to the Admiralty with a full report of the circumstances of the occurrence. It will be seen by the above that the showing of Colours by a British merchant ship to a British warship is to be regarded as obligatory. Foreign Governments may be presumed to have issued similar Instructions for the guidance of their officers. The firing of a blank by a warship has various significations dependent on circumstances. Amongst others, it calls attention to a signal, irregularity, or conviction.
I do not consider that it is to be regarded as a demand to "Heave to", unless the ship has colours hoisted. The object of the signal was evidently to ascertain the nationality of the "Jailfeen". This enquiry is more usually made by a flag signal, as per the Commercial Code.
(80) G. Boyes.
27.10.94
Commodore
Enclosure 3.
Minute by the Attorney General
I quite concur in His Excellency's view as to the answer to be returned. It appears to me that all that can be said is that the French method was adopted as the less courteous of two methods.