Easticks28
Well-Known Member
No objection to 'the blue' - only to the arrogance of so many who fly it!
Ensigns/flags
- Thread starter robertj
- Start date
No objection to 'the blue' - only to the arrogance of so many who fly it!
chinita
Well-Known Member
First time I have been called arrogant. I did not realise that we had met.
Penton Hooker
Well-Known Member
That seems to me to be wholly acceptable.
LONG_KEELER
Well-Known Member
As an island race, it does seem a shame that we cannot unite under one maritime flag.
The Blue Ensigns do obviously serve a purpose to some sailors.
In our recent history, 60,000 sailors died serving under the Red Ensign. Most had hardly had the means of firing back. The conditions they served under were also pretty horrendous. Only in fairly recent years has their contribution been fully understood and appreciated.
Many of the families of the dead are also still living. I am not saying you should change whatever you decide to do, but to you at least understand how some people feel ?
The Blue Ensigns do obviously serve a purpose to some sailors.
In our recent history, 60,000 sailors died serving under the Red Ensign. Most had hardly had the means of firing back. The conditions they served under were also pretty horrendous. Only in fairly recent years has their contribution been fully understood and appreciated.
Many of the families of the dead are also still living. I am not saying you should change whatever you decide to do, but to you at least understand how some people feel ?
Woodlouse
Well-Known Member
30,000 according to this page. Combine it with the RN losses though during the same period and you get over 95,000 killed and wounded serving under all three of our Ensigns. Personally, as long as there is a union jack in the corner I think you are showing all the respect necessary.
Bosun Higgs
N/A
Well if you are a Spanish fisherman operating over here, you have a flag already - the skull and crossbones.
Bosun Higgs
N/A
There was a case once where a British consul ( in Portugal I believe) exercised his legal right to board a british vessel ( a small yacht) in port and confiscate the incorrect flag that the boat was flying. I believe the flag was an extremely tatty and frayed red ensign. The skipper was fined.
Seagreen
Well-Known Member
I usually fly a big red one off the mizzen peak. But then again I like to fly this one, just to annoy the cornish.
They seem to be getting a lot more popular judging by the number of sellers now rather than just the one when I bought mine. But honestly, does anyone really care? Sure I do get annoyed when a large mobo chugs annoyingly past moorings with a blue ensign. I get just as annoyed when a tw@t on a jetski hurtles past, in fact, more so. The colour of the ensign, or not, matters not a bit, though it may start a conversation if you are rafted up to someone with an unusual one.
They seem to be getting a lot more popular judging by the number of sellers now rather than just the one when I bought mine. But honestly, does anyone really care? Sure I do get annoyed when a large mobo chugs annoyingly past moorings with a blue ensign. I get just as annoyed when a tw@t on a jetski hurtles past, in fact, more so. The colour of the ensign, or not, matters not a bit, though it may start a conversation if you are rafted up to someone with an unusual one.
maxi77
Well-Known Member
Mind you I think that is well balanced by the inverse snobbery of the anti blue brigade.
chinita
Well-Known Member
Yes, I have yet to see a thread started by a blue ensign chap castigating those who choose to wear red.
mcframe
Well-Known Member
I know *that*, but I was suggesting that with a couple of noticeable exceptions (1803-15, 1914-18, 1939-45) much of the "power projection" of the RN was to enable the MN to do it's stuff.
Aye - even 'tho RANGER didn't respond to a dip last week :-(
Searush
Well-Known Member
Sooo many? How many? I've never once in 40 years of sailing met an arrogant person with a Blue or Defaced Ensign, either before I got one or since. Why should a simple flag change my behaviour, it just doesn't make sense does it?
I expect there are just as many arrogant people on he water as on land & just as many with any given ensign. The difference is all in your own mind & attitude I suspect.
Woodlouse
Well-Known Member
Chances are they didn't notice. I only dip to warships, and even then, only when they are passing close enough to guarantee that there is someone keeping an eye on us. There's nothing worse than being left hanging.
mcframe
Well-Known Member
Chances are they didn't notice. I only dip to warships, and even then, only when they are passing close enough to guarantee that there is someone keeping an eye on us. There's nothing worse than being left hanging.
They looped around about 200 yards off from us - nothing else for a couple of miles around - I was /almost/ tempted to replace my 2/3rd yard red ensign with my 2-yard Scots ensign - and then report myself ;->
Woodlouse
Well-Known Member
Ah well, I wouldn't be paying attention to the ensign of a boat that was 200 yards away. If it's only on a flag staff at the transom it might be difficult to tell whether it's dipped or not.
snooks
Well-Known Member
I've seen it quite a few times.....there is one yacht in the marina where we usually keep our boat who seems to do it quite often. They are members of the same club I'm a member of, but they choose to fly a big blue ensign, and they sometimes fly it incorrectly with out the burgee. I'm happy with my red one
20 odd years ago now I was on a boat in an anchorage and the skipper had forgotten to fly his burgee, a neighbouring yacht launched his tender, and rowed over to see us. "friendly chap" we thought as we went down to get another glass for him to share our wine. Sadly not.
He rowed to within hailing distance and shouted "I implore you to fly your ensign correctly"! Before doing an about turn and rowing back.
What a tit we all thought, which is why I really don't let it bother me, and I can't be rsed to say anything to this chap. If they want to fly a bit of blue cloth on a stick that's up to them. If they can't remember to fly the burgee, who am I to tell them off? I'll stick to my red one, it's a lot less hassle, especially when we put it up when we get on he boat, leave it up day and night, and take it down at he end of the trip.
Penton Hooker
Well-Known Member
Tut, Tut! It should come down at sunset!!!!!!!!!
Woodlouse
Well-Known Member
I suggest you write a letter to the secretary of the club in question and report his breach of the law, flag etiquette and the club rules.I've seen it quite a few times.....there is one yacht in the marina where we usually keep our boat who seems to do it quite often. They are members of the same club I'm a member of, but they choose to fly a big blue ensign, and they sometimes fly it incorrectly with out the burgee. I'm happy with my red one
Either that or live and let live.
mcframe
Well-Known Member
Sir!
I take grave offence at that!
Our ensign is not on some mere stick at the back, but (me standing on coaming+fully extended boathook) height up the backstay, in accordance with §something of §someregs 'cos I've no gaff.
Alas, hidden between "V" and "P7" on :
http://www.mcframe.org/dressed.jpg
(Last year royal wedding)
I reckon I'd need a three or five yarder for that full "just skimming the water" effect, but it would be a right bu88er downwind ;-)
Woodlouse
Well-Known Member
Ah well, the only time I've got a response dipping an ensign positioned like that was when being overtaken by a Minesweeper going through the Needles.
