Where to buy signal flags?

[shed driver]

I'm looking for a present for a flag mad veteran. I'm thinking of Nelson's last signal - "Engage the Enemy More Closely" .



Any recommendations for suppliers at a reasonable price? And how would you display these - miniature flags in a frame with a printed history?

SD.

[Jo-say8k]

Maybe with a nice oil painting of them displayed on the ship?

[shed driver]

Jo-say8k said:

Maybe with a nice oil painting of them displayed on the ship?

Possibly, although he is ex-Army so the ship would be of less interest than the flags and the meaning behind them

SD.

[Petrus1983]

Just seen this -

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185782854682?var=0&...

[swanny71]

https://www.force4.co.uk/item/Force-4/Individual-S...

[Legmaster]

Just about every size imaginable and cheaper dyed flags and 'proper' sewn flags.

https://www.hampshireflag.co.uk/Signal-Flags.asp

[OutInTheShed]

shed driver said:

I'm looking for a present for a flag mad veteran. I'm thinking of Nelson's last signal - "Engage the Enemy More Closely" .



Any recommendations for suppliers at a reasonable price? And how would you display these - miniature flags in a frame with a printed history?

SD.

Bear in mind that I don't think Nelson's navy used the modern international letter flags.
I doubt the image is correct.

[Simpo Two]

OutInTheShed said:

Bear in mind that I don't think Nelson's navy used the modern international letter flags.
I doubt the image is correct.

It's an interesting point. In 1805 that might have said 'Jaffacake Narwhal'.

But I did flirt briefly with the idea of having those flags on my boat. Decided against it because I don't have any guns

[akirk]

the signal used over 30 flags
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England_expects_that...

[Simpo Two]

akirk said:

the signal used over 30 flags
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England_expects_that...

That's a different signal

[2xChevrons]

OutInTheShed said:

shed driver said:

I'm looking for a present for a flag mad veteran. I'm thinking of Nelson's last signal - "Engage the Enemy More Closely" .



Any recommendations for suppliers at a reasonable price? And how would you display these - miniature flags in a frame with a printed history?

SD.

Bear in mind that I don't think Nelson's navy used the modern international letter flags.
I doubt the image is correct.

The flags displayed in shed driver's post are the historically accurate ones - those are the flags used under 'Popham's Code' which is what the RN used at Trafalgar. The two flags are #1 over #6, with signal 16 being 'engage the enemy more closely.'

http://3decks.pbworks.com/f/Admiral%2520Home%2520P...

You can read the Popham Code (minus the first section with the standardised tactical signals 1-25) at that link, as well as see the entire suit of flags.

Note that while Popham flag #1 is today's ICS Flag X-Ray (albeit with different proportions), Popham flag #6 is not used, so may be harder to find 'off the shelf'. Although it would be simple to have custom-made and, at a pinch, an inverted flag of The Netherlands would do.

Edited by 2xChevrons on Monday 10th July 11:38

[akirk]

Simpo Two said:

akirk said:

the signal used over 30 flags
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England_expects_that...

That's a different signal

good point - apologies

[Simpo Two]

2xChevrons said:

Although it would be simple to have custom-made and, at a pinch, an inverted flag of The Netherlands would do.

It's fortunate the signal for 'Engage the enemy more closely' wasn't interpreted as 'I have the Finnish and Dutch ambassadors on board'. That might have changed the course of Trafalgar

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Remarkable!

[MBBlat]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Why do I have a sudden desire to have a ships cannon in my front garden?

[Mr Pointy]

Simpo Two said:

OutInTheShed said:

Bear in mind that I don't think Nelson's navy used the modern international letter flags.
I doubt the image is correct.

It's an interesting point. In 1805 that might have said 'Jaffacake Narwhal'.

But I did flirt briefly with the idea of having those flags on my boat. Decided against it because I don't have any guns

You could fly this one though:



I'm doubting that Nelson would have had that one in the flag locker though.

[Simpo Two]

Mr Pointy said:

I'm doubting that Nelson would have had that one in the flag locker though.

Indeed, the drink was rum in those days!