Flying the Union Jack

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petery

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Saw a Sea Cadet training ship flying the Union Jack (with the white surround) in the bow when it was berthed at Dieppe recently and the Mersey Ferry (?) flying it under way on the TV last week.

An 'ancient' year-book in our club states that it should only by flown at anchor.

Anyone know the correct 'etiquette' as there are drinks involved at the club bar when we get the 'right' answer.

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The union flag, when flown at the bow, with a white border, is a pilot jack, I think and as far as I know can be worn when moving. But Byron will know for sure, PM him.

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Before I start someone may prove me wrong, but....

The Union Flag was invented in the early 1700´s (late 1600´s ?) because the navy of the combined countries of England&Scotland needed a new flag.

The original version was just St George and St Andrew - the red saltire, diagonal cross, (for Ireland) was added later.

When it is flown on a jackstaff at the bow of an anchored (or moored) ship it becomes a Jack, as opposed to a flag or ensign and that name has stuck.

My opinion is that the Sea Cadet Ship was correct and the Mersey Ferry was wrong.

However, most local tourist/passenger ferries nowadays seem to fly everything from everywhere so it is becoming something of a "common custom but technical fault".



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By common usage the white bordered union flag has become a jack which is used under way. Originally it was signal meaning 'I require a pilot'. I quote:

'...It then became common practice for merchant ships to fly the white-bordered UJ, at the masthead as a pilot signal, but also on the jack staff as a jack. Some attempts were made to stop this, but legally it was a grey area, and apart from declaring that the white-bordered UJ was not a pilot signal when hoisted on a jack staff, the situation was allowed to continue.'
[Memorandum on Merchant Ensigns and Jacks, 1674 to 1879.

The thing is not to fly it at the masthead, our you will be buzzed by a big Nelson with a cross man in a peaked cap on board


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The entire fleet of the erstwhile Caledonian SP Co, i.e., BR's Firth of Clyde subsidiary, used to fly the white bordered UJ at the jackstaff. I was told this meant the master was a local pilot, which they all must be. This was in addition to flying the horizontal 'H' pilot flag. Since they merged to become Caledonian MacBrayne, the David MacBrayne practice of flying the Saltire at the jackstaff has taken over.

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A RN vessel has the union jack at the bow, and only whilst at anchor. The pilot jack is for other govt vessels - but i have no definitive of whether only at anchor, as the union jack. I woukld guess that it also wd be only whilst at anchor - cos otherwise they wiould all wear it all the time.

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As previously hinted at, its a union 'flag' until flown from the jack staff (at the bow). Only then becoming a Union Jack usually flown thus on a RN vessel, together with White Ensign (presumably to ensure not confused with RYS) - when at anchor or alongside.

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Re: yeah - he knows that

But his question is about the Pilot Jack. Now, is the cadet ship allowed to fly this whilst underway. It's an important question, there are drinks at stake!

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It is not quite accurate to say 'when at anchor'. The Admiralty Manual of Seamanship says 'when in harbour'. Come to Guz and you will see it being worn when ships are berthed alongside or on moorings in the Sound.
The good book also gives an historical reason why the Union Flag is reserved exclusively for HM ships. It stems from the days when warships and merchant ships looked much the same even to wearing the same ensign, so it was essential to differentiate between the two to prevent any masquerading under false colours for the purposes of piracy...... so the Union Flag was ordered to be worn only by HM ships.
The pilot jack can be used by any vessel, but is unusual these days.

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