Onboard Ship Communication During World War I

In the Daily Mail’s ‘Answers to Correspondents’ column on 12 December 2023 appeared the following question and answer relating to the Royal Navy in the First World War:

QUESTION What methods were used for onboard ship communication during World War I?

A network of voice pipes was used for shipboard communication during both world wars, consisting of two cones of wood or metal, one end shaped to fit the speaker’s mouth and connected to the other via a long air pipe to a receiver cone, which was flared to amplify the sound.

The pipe was insulated by a covering of waterproof textile material, which, being a bad conductor of sound, enabled long lengths of tube to be used without excessive interference.

Naval voice pipes had a removable cork-mounted whistle, which would be blown to alert the receiver to a pending message.

Voice pipes had obvious advantages in naval warfare. They didn’t depend on electrical power, were immune to EMP (electromagnetic pulse) and would keep working even when damaged. However, voice pipe communication between two watertight compartments presented a risk of flooding, so they were equipped with shut-off valves on either side.

You can see examples of voice pipes on HMS Belfast, which is on display on the River Thames in London, and on HMS Cavalier at Chatham Dockyard Museum.

By the end of World War II they were displaced by internal ship telephones and intercom systems, though some ships still retained the voice pipes in case of electrical blackouts.

Paul Adams, Bristol.

Voice pipes are but one example of intra-ship communication (and depending on how badly they are damaged they will not work). I sent a response to the column on 29 December. As of today it has not been published.

Dear Sir,

QUESTION What methods were used for onboard ship communication during World War I?

Paul Adams in his 12 December answer is correct that voice-pipes were used for shipboard communications. However, they were not the only method. In a British battleship or battle cruiser of the First World War one would also use bugles, telephones, messengers (in the form of boys and men), pneumatic tubes, electric telegraphs (for sending and receiving Morse code between compartments), and various mechanical indicators and dials for transmitting orders and information like range, bearings and speed.

Yours sincerely,

Simon Harley

Co Editor-in-Chief, The Dreadnought Project