Dressing ship; flag etiquette

[Joe_Cole]

A slightly serious: slightly tongue in cheek question.

I'll be entering our clubs Trafalgar Day "fly past" in July. I haven't got a full set of signal flags and haven't got the faintest intention of buying a set. However I have got some bunting.
Would I be better "going naked" or using the bunting?

I suspect that it's one of those things that somebody will take offence at, no matter what I do!

 

[FullCircle]

Dear Joe,
I have both. And when I hoisted in higgledey piggledey fashion, I had Commander Breakwind-Snotshyte on me back. I claim Dyslexia.
No matter, the dress sequence is in Reeds almanac somewhere, and the bunting dont matter. So, I now know that The Flags goe from fromnt to back, and the bunting went from side to side.
If you want to borrow them, just let me know, and I will rig them for a pint, and a whizz round the bay. Distance no object.

 

[Cornishman]

I am a traditionalist, but can see nothing wrong in using ordinary bunting. May I suggest that you confine the colours to red, white and blue?
Don't think going naked is a good idea, you might catch cold.

 

[john_morris_uk]

There are a couple (at least) of 'approved' or 'official' ways of dressing ship. The real purpose of the order of code flags and signal pennants suggested is to ensure that no 'messages' or 'words' are accidently spelled out whilst at the same time producing an 'eye catching and pleasing' effect. You may be interested to know that the US Navy use a different order for the signal flags and pennants to the RN. If you want to know the current RN order I will have to go and ask one of the signal ratings.

 

[Marsupial]

Joe

This lionk should take you a site trhat describes the british way of doing it - yes its a french site!

http://www.pya.org/dressing_ship.htm

 

[Joe_Cole]

[ QUOTE ]
Dear Joe,
I have both. And when I hoisted in higgledey piggledey fashion, I had Commander Breakwind-Snotshyte on me back. I claim Dyslexia.
No matter, the dress sequence is in Reeds almanac somewhere, and the bunting dont matter. So, I now know that The Flags goe from fromnt to back, and the bunting went from side to side.
If you want to borrow them, just let me know, and I will rig them for a pint, and a whizz round the bay. Distance no object.

[/ QUOTE ]

Jim,

That's good of you to offer, but I couldn't ask you to go to so much trouble for such a frivolous event, though I'm sure it will be fun!
However, if you ever find yourself down in the West Country do let me know and you will be more than welcome to join us for a whizz round the bay. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif