How where ship signals in the olden days?

In the olden days, ships communicated through a variety of signals, primarily using flags, lights, and sound. Flag signaling, known as semaphore, involved raising specific flags to convey messages between ships or to shore. Additionally, ships used signal lamps for nighttime communication, and fog horns or bells to signal their presence in poor visibility conditions. These methods allowed for essential coordination and safety at sea before the advent of modern communication technologies.