#naval flags

[jrgdrawing-real]

l've always loved naval tools and aesthetics, especially the flags. Their patterns and colors are so cool, I wish I owned some real ones. I'd display these everywhere!!

[ltwilliammowett]

Bowles's universal display of the Naval Flags of all Nations in the World, c. 1801

[clove-pinks]

Half of me is losing it over the poetry of this definition from Timothy Wilson's Flags at Sea—your true colours shown at the moment you attack!— and the other half is prosaically wondering if this is even a viable technique nowadays for anyone besides a handful of pirate vessels.

I think that modern warships are too distinctive to be disguised so easily, not to mention satellite monitoring of their movements. I can just imagine, looking at the super-obvious American destroyer through binoculars, and there are random USA flag bumperstickers all over it.

"Isn't that a Canadian jack, sir?"

"...I think she's American."

[citizen69]

An old Irish ensign flag as flown by some Irish merchant vessels from the 17th century to the early 20th century.

[ltwilliammowett]

A very interesting piece of fabric ( maybe a handkerchief) with different Naval Flags, British, ca. 1830-1836

[spongebobpics]