Familygram

A familygram is a special, short message that families can send to sailors serving on submarines in navies like the United States Navy or the Royal Navy. The name is a fun mix of the words "family" and "telegram", which was an old way of sending messages quickly over long distances.

What is a Familygram?

A familygram is a one-way message sent from a family member on land to a sailor deep under the sea. Think of it as a special kind of postcard, but without the picture. The word familygram is a portmanteau, which is a new word made by blending two other words together. For example, "breakfast" and "lunch" combine to make "brunch." In this case, "family" and "telegram" combine to make "familygram."

These messages are a very important way for sailors to feel connected to their loved ones while they are away on long missions.

Why are Submarine Messages Special?

Submarines are built to be stealthy and stay hidden underwater. To avoid being found by others, they must maintain radio silence. This means they cannot send out radio signals, which could give away their location. Because of this, sailors on submarines can't use phones or the internet to talk to their families like most people can.

Familygrams are one of the very few ways for sailors to receive news from the outside world. Sending these messages is a careful process to make sure the submarine remains safe and hidden.

Rules for Sending a Familygram

Sending a message to a submarine isn't as simple as sending a text. There are very strict rules that families must follow.

Word Limits

Because it is difficult to send information to a submarine, familygrams have always been very short.

• In the past, messages were sometimes limited to just 15 words.
• Later, the limit was increased to around 50 words.
• Today, the Royal Navy allows families to send either two 60-word messages a week or one 120-word message to sailors on certain submarines.

Messages Are Not Private

Unlike a personal letter or email, familygrams are not private communications. Every message is checked carefully by the navy before it is sent. It is also checked again by the submarine's commanding officer before it is delivered to the sailor. This is done to make sure the message does not contain any secret codes or information that could put the submarine or its crew in danger. Also, any upsetting news is handled carefully by the navy to support the sailor.

Other Uses of the Word

The term "familygram" is sometimes used in a more casual way. Some families use it as a nickname for a family newsletter they send to friends and relatives. These modern "familygrams" are often sent by email or printed on paper to share updates and news with the wider family.