Recollections of James Anthony Gardner, commander R.N. (1775–1814)

by James Anthony Gardner

APPENDIX

(P. [250])

The ‘swaggering blue pennant.’

[As the distinctive pennants for Transport Officers when afloat were done away with several years ago, and indeed Transport Officers afloat are now almost unknown, we are happy in being able, by the kindness of Vice-Admiral George T. H. Boyes, the present Director of Transports, to give the Regulations, as they stood in 1814, ‘relative to the pennants of distinction’ appointed to be used by transport agents when afloat.]

The principal agent, serving on any expedition, in order to be particularly known and distinguished, shall wear, on board the transport wherein he is embarked, a blue ensign, together with a plain blue broad pennant at the main topmast head, of the following dimensions, viz. eight feet at the staff, and twenty feet long; but, for foul weather, four feet at the staff, and ten feet long.

When there is but one agent to a division of transports, or when several agents are not serving under the immediate orders of other agents, a blue ensign with the common blue pennant at the main topmast head is to be worn as the only necessary mark of distinction. The broad pennant is never to be hoisted by any agent who has not another under him.

All inferior agents shall hoist the blue ensign and a plain blue common pennant, two feet broad at the head, and thirty feet long. A smaller one, at discretion, may be worn at sea.

Should transports of different expeditions meet at the same port, the principal agents only of each expedition are to hoist broad pennants at the main, fore, or mizen topmast heads, according to their respective rank in his Majesty’s navy: and the inferior agents, belonging to each expedition, are to hoist common blue pennants at the same masthead with their principal.

At sea, should a large fleet of transports, all on the same service, be classed in three grand divisions, the agent commanding each division may hoist the broad pennant at the main, fore, or mizen topmast heads, according to their rank, as aforesaid; and their inferior agents in like manner.