What were the posts along early carrier flight decks?

What were the posts along early carrier flight decks, and did they obstruct aircraft operations?

They supported radio aerials and cables, and crews folded them down before operating aircraft.

Photographs of early carriers often show thin posts that appear to obstruct the edge of the flight deck. They supported radio wires, aerials, and related cables when the ship was not flying aircraft. The fittings were designed to fold clear before takeoff and landing operations. Their harbor appearance therefore should not be read as the working deck configuration pilots had to negotiate at sea.