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White Ensign ...
Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2016 9:26 pm
by half12
Hello,
Could you please tell me what size was the White Ensign used on MTBs and MGBs ?
Best regards .. Herve
Re: White Ensign ...
Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2016 2:49 pm
by half12
Hello,
... No idea about the White Ensign size ??
Best regards .. Herve
Re: White Ensign ...
Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2016 2:48 am
by Admin
The 1937 edition of
Manual of Seamanship cites the following:
Measurement of Ensigns, Standards, etc.
The size of British Ensigns, Standards, and Union Flags is commonly expressed in terms of ‘breadths.’ This measurement, which is 9 inches, is used for describing the size of any of the above flags. Bunting is supplied in two widths broad 19 inches, and narrow, 9 inches.
In the Union Flags, Standards, and the White, Blue, and Red Ensigns the length is twice the breadth. In the Admirals’ Flags the length is 1 times the breadth.
When the size of one of the above flags is spoken of as say, “16 breadths,” it denotes that it is 16 x 9 inches (or 12 feet) broad and, as it is twice as long as it is broad, 24 feet long, except an Admiral’s Flag which would be 18 feet.
Each cloth of bunting has a few thicker threads worked not only into its edges, but also at every 6 inches of its warp, and this mark shows the bunting to be of Government make.
This is the mast ensign from MTB 632
Re: White Ensign ...
Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2016 5:49 pm
by half12
Hello,
Many thanks for this wonderful ensign from MTB 632 ...
... but the "1937 edition of Manual of Seamanship" is not compatible with my french brain ...
I will have read it again slowly to undertand ...!
Best regards .. Herve
Re: White Ensign ...
Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2016 6:25 pm
by Admin
Hello Herve
I think the simple version of it is:
Ensigns always measure multiples of 9 inches (22.86cms), known as a 'breadth', so are either 9" (1 breadth), 18" (two breadths), 27" (three breadths) etc, and are also twice as long as they are wide, giving you 9" x 18" (22.86cm x 45.72cm), 18" x 36" or 27" x 54" etc. So that should make MTB 632's ensign measure one breadth at 9" x 18" originally before being worn down.
Re: White Ensign ...
Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2016 6:31 pm
by half12
Hello,
After some research, most of identified ensigns attributed to MTB/MGBs I have found have a 3 breadths width ...
and here is the answer from the Royal Navy National Museum : "... Only the Royal Navy still measure flags in breadths. 3 breadths is, I believe, the smallest flag manufactured, which is one and a half yard x three quarters. This would have been the correct flag size for a smaller vessel such as an MGB..."
... but as far as I remember, I have already seen a smaller Ensign ... need to search again !
Best regards .. Herve
Re: White Ensign ...
Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2016 2:28 am
by Admin
It's hard to tell if the ensigns referred to are those intended for display on a flagstaff at the stern of a vessel, as set against one flown from the masthead like a signal flag. Judging by the string and the size of the flag's eyelets in the photo above, and the fact it was copied in a scanner, I would say it is more likely 9" in height than 27".