Ship Camouflage Instructions
United States Navy
Ships - 2
Bureau of Ships
January 1941

 

Chapter 2
Camouflage Measures for Surface Ships

 

The following camouflage measures for combatant and merchant surface ships are to be placed in effect when ordered by competent authority.  Detailed painting instructions for each measure are given in Chapter 3.

Measure 1.    Dark Gray System.

The all around most effective system to be used in normally CLEAR weather for low visibility to both surface and aerial observers during day and during night under both direct searchlight and natural illumination, combined with a certain amount of course deception to surface observers.

Measure 2.    Graded System.

To be used in ALL KINDS of weather for RELATIVELY low visibility to both surface and aerial observers day and night, combined with a certain amount of course and RANGE deception to surface observers.

Measure 3.    Light Gray System.

To be used in HAZY and FOGGY weather for LOWEST VISIBILITY TO SURFACE OBSERVERS, but with increased visibility to aerial observers.

Measure 4.    Black System.

To be used in all kinds of weather for LOWEST VISIBILITY TO AERIAL OBSERVERS and LOWEST VISIBILITY AT NIGHT under direct searchlight illumination, combined with a certain maount of course deception during the day to surface observers. (Primarily for Destroyers).

Measure 5.    Painted Bow Wave.

To be used in combination with measures 1,2 and 3 (but not 4) to produce a certain amount of SPEED DECEPTION to surface observers.

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