Signs

A few summers ago it seemed every third person on the subway was reading Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code. If you haven’t read and you’re drawn to hidden signs, still read it. Pick it up and you won’t put it down until you’re done. Auguries and interpretations intrigue me although it’s entertainment, not serious for me; semiotics as a spectator sport.

 

Take you, Alice. What can I make of your bow mast (white) folded to port? Who else reads you?

 

How about a container packed with four chassis?

 

I know masts get folded down to allow passage under low obstruction, but what else might these signal?

This reminds me of a story I heard in the 60’s about a family run farm stand; if a certain flag flew from the mast, it meant certain illicit produce could be purchased, a sign in plain view but a code like semaphores, morse, the language of flowers, fans, scarves, and beads. And then there’s smoke signals, the talking drum, the slit drum.

So Alice . . . I’ve a hard time reading you.

Vessels depicted above: Alice Oldendorff, MOL Experience, John B. Caddell, Miriam Moran as shot by Will Van Dorp