The semaphore was a system of conveying information by means of visual signals, using towers with pivoting shutters, also known as blades or paddles. Information was encoded by the position of its mechanical elements; it was read when the shutter was in a fixed position. This system was popular on Earth in the late 18th to early 19th century.
On Safehold, the Church of God Awaiting built a vast system of semaphore lines, as this was the single means of long-range communication the Holy Writ allowed. (OAR)
Known semaphore stations[]
The Temple had semaphore stations all over the world of Safehold, with courier boats connecting the ones that were too far separated by sea. The average two-way message time between Zion and Cherayth was about seventeen days, while it took 25 days for a message from the Temple to reach Tellesberg. (OAR)
External Links[]
- Detailed article about semaphores on Wikipedia
- Post on church communications by David Weber on the infodump