xvii, 622 pp. 1946 thirteenth edition. Includes color illustrations of signal flags. "The Bluejacket's Manual is the basic handbook for United States Navy personnel. First issued in 1902 to teach new recruits about naval procedures and life and offer a reference for active sailors, it has become the "bible" for Navy personnel, providing information about a wide range of Navy topics. Prior to The Bluejacket's Manual, the United States Navy had at least two books for training young men in naval procedure, but neither of them had the widespread use of the manual. Seamanship, by Capain Alfred Thayer Mahan, was the primary textbook about seamanship itself at the United States Naval Academy at the end of the 19th century, but was not used by enlisted men; many sailors at the time were still illiterate, and in any case, the oral traditions and procedures of petty officers were the basis of enlisted sailors' education. The Seaman's Handbook, by LCDR Stephen B. Luce, was a success, but primarily in Merchant Marine, not the Navy. The Bluejacket's Manual was first written in 1902 by Lt. Ridley McLean. Also started in 1902 was the Recruit's Handy Book, issued to every new enlistee. By World War I, both were being issued to every recruit, but during the 1920s, the Handy Book was discontinued. In 1938, the title was changed from the singular possessive form to a plural possessive form of Bluejackets'. After several decades of updates and revisions, the Manual was given its original title back under the singular possessive Bluejacket's." -- Wikipedia
