Hello,
I understand that on steamboats, if they had no dial type engine order telegraph like larger ships, the pilot gave signals to the engine by means of bell signals.
Is there something like a universal code for such bell signals (number of rings for ahead, astern, stop etc.), or was this individually defined by each company?
Thanks, Moritz

Here is what Alan Bates writes about bells & gongs in  "The western rivers steamboat cyclopedium", pg 73, 75. Basically, all US rivers used different signals.

I've photographed the pages since they have drawings. Files are all less than 211kb, but still load slow on my dialup:

http://www.mediafire.com/i/?kyulywymtu2
http://www.mediafire.com/i/?nzntithrghv
http://www.mediafire.com/i/?emzjnmztmyw
http://www.mediafire.com/i/?onqznhxdgi5

Hello ther eBrooks, what a great and informative first post. A first class contribution to the wonderful forum on all type of paddleboats. If you want to you can alter your profile to include a general location, It is always good to know where we are in the world and what could be useful for sailing meet ups etc. Thanks for the link and if there is anything we can do for you just ask.

cheers

Jim

I found a few more too add to Bells Whistles and things that go gong in the night most were from another forum. I have been told that on some of the Steam Warping Tugs (Alligators) that the Wheelman would just stomp on the deck as he was right above the engine man.
Regards,
Gerald.