FLAGGED OFF

Does anyone recall we used to dip the red ensign at sea when passing-being passed by a warship? I quite liked that duty if I was on watch, made me feel quite warm of heart due to the history etc. I also liked it when we shifted the ensign from the stern to the mainmast once under way then you knew we at sea again. I saw one of our lads get a quite serious thumping from a docker for stepping on the stars & stripes when lowering it in L.A. way back when. It saddens me to think that flag etiquette, respect has passed that is. Also that so few people know their flags, by that I mean national of other countries people think you are odd when you comment on it whilst looking at a ship, yacht etc. Richard

As far as I am aware you are correct Ivan, The blue ensign as stated was a one off as far as I know. However if the person who wanted a picture of vessel is copying this, his father may be able to put this one to bed as was one of the permanent RN contingent on board. Regards John Sabourn.

have you noticed that although India wanted independence and to severe all things colonial, its Navy still has a White Ensign for naval vessels and a Red Ensign for merchant vessels, although I have noticed that some merchant vessels fly a full Indian flag.

It was indeed a good game dipping to warships. If I was sent to do it I used to hide out of sight and then pop up and dip at the last moment. Quite often a warship would have checked you out with the glasses and thinking you weren't going to dip had no-one standing by. Oh how they scurried!

I seem to recall we used to dip going round Cape St Vincent but whether to the light keeper or the convent I'm not sure. The light is on the convent but not sure if it was still used as such.

Regards
Calvin

In the South China sea one afternoon with a US cruiser approaching I sent the wheelman to do the honours. First I started telling him how to do it then he said, "I know, I know." so I took him at his word. He was what we called a Sub junta walla. (Know all) Watching the cruiser through my binoculars I noticed she pulled down her flag and then there seemed to some confusion.

I understood this when the wretched helmsman came back with our flag neatly folded under his arm. I called him a moron but he did not understand and just said, "Acha Sahib."

I half expected the cruiser to come round after us. They probably said "Smart Assed Limeys."

What was he, a secunny I suppose, all his duties in which case should have been steering, Gangawy watch and flags. A so called specialist, sounds par for the course. No good asking a Kalassi 1 or 2 as was not their job. A winch Wallah definetly not, maybe the poor old topaz may have been hiding his knowledge, but as no one spoke to him wouldnt have been much good. Some of the old timers swear by these crews, I spent all my time just swearing. Best Regards John Sabourn.

One other point, when we docked in the last two ports we were flying the yellow quarentine flag, long time since I have seen that one.

Have doubts about how many nowadays would know what it means used to be " My vessel is healthy and I request Free Pratique" may have different wording now if any. Medical pratique is usually done by radio now, and through ships Agents, the same as entering the ship in and out through customs clearance which in years gone by the master had to do himself. Everyone gets their fingers into shipping for fees etc. the only people they forgot to pay properly were the people who got the ship from A to B and worked it. Cheers John Sabourn.

John you are so right as to Everyone gets their fingers into shipping for fees etc. unfortunately it is not just shipping, but also we who are having product shipped. It never ceases to amaze me as to how often a new charge is raised, so frustrating, however this is a beauty. We are trying to get two 12m containers shipped out of HK presently & can not get a confirmed price all inclusive (in writing) even though this was booked weeks ago. Nor can they ship them after end of month for a month due to Chinese New Year, even though we transited them from Laos-Vietnam on 13th, i.e. they have been in HK since that date. Go figure, so we must pay almost six weeks storage until earliest 23rd Feb! Lifes a (t)itch then your dead in the commercial world ): Richard

John

Yes he was a secunny. I do not believe any nationality or group has the best seamen. I believe good ones come from small islands and fishing communities. Unfortunately any in group afloat or ashore you nearly always get one or two bad apples. Get rid of them ASAP.