British transports received own individually number in 1882

An item on page 688 reported that the British merchant ships chartered as transports were officially known by a number whci was assigned to each on engagement. It consisted of “a white patch, 8 feet long by 4 1/2 feet deep, has to be painted on each bow and quarter, and on these are marked the number in black figures, each figure being three feet long”.

Source

The Nautical Magazine. Fifty-first year. Volume VII. July 1882.