Dipping Ensigns?

  • Thread starter Thread starter MarkG
  • Start date Start date
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So how do you dip the Ensign.....lower to half mast or have i missed something

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Well as I've never done it on my own boat I also pondered on this.
I have a short ensign staff on the pushpit and the flag is fixed on that, but as someone has said here, I could just pull the staff out and grab the ensign and point the tip at the water...might even give it a go someday...
 
Back in April 1982 I took out an 'Introductory' weekend cruise, just me and four newbies, never sailed before. We headed out south of the IOW, then realised that a lot of ships in line astern were headed towards us. We dipped ensigns to each ship in the Falklands fleet, and each one dipped back to us. Whenever I see one of those novices, they don't mention the major thunderstorm we had, or the F9 gale a couple of days later; just that memory of the fleet dipping back to a small boat.
 
We were motoring through Loch Ness a couple of years ago and passed one of the University Patrol boats who were obviously having their lunch as they were "under way but not making way". I decided to dip my ensign to them but somehow fumbled and dropped the %^&* thing in the water. I then had to do a MOB drill to pick it up.
The blighters never responded - I have always suspected that they were rolling round the deck with laughter!
 
Beware dipping ensigns to the Andrew,while in Tobermory in an Army yacht I dipped to a reserve Mine sweeper,they returned the salute and hailed that we would be welcome on board at 1900 for drinks.The next 18 hrs are a total blur,I remember the boat was grey and had the Red Hand of Ulster on the funnel.The navys hospitality is a brutal affair.The return match was in the Mishnish another wasted day.Army v Navy was declared an honourable draw.
 
Oh I can't wait for a grey funnel foolish enough to stray into North Welsh waters so that I can get my own back for a four journey on board HMS Manchester, when they managed to get me completely legless twice. This was followed by a 'regimental' visit to HMS Liverpool, after which the CO's driver had to get me, the CO and regimental sergeant major back to barracks after we had been struck almost made blind by some kind of 'scouring' rum.

I think I still have remnants of the hangover to this day.

I will start practising my 'dipping' techniques this weekend.
 
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