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John Irving

Manual of Flag Etiquette

Irving Books edition
📖 39 pages

A yacht’s flags tell a story. John Irving explains ensigns, club burgees, salutes and dressing ship in this illustrated guide to the customs of British yachting. A glimpse of maritime life and etiquette in an earlier age.

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About the book

A yacht’s colours can announce its nationality, its club or a moment of celebration. John Irving explains how to read that language, moving from everyday ensigns and burgees to salutes, mourning and the spectacle of dressing ship.

HISTORICAL BRITISH YACHTING PRACTICE

The manual’s daily ensign routine

RED ENSIGN • HISTORICAL HARBOUR ROUTINE08:0009:00 FROM 21 SEP TO 25 MARSUNSETLOWERTAFFRAILPERIOD PRACTICE IN HOME WATERS • FOLLOW THE SENIOR CLUB OR WARSHIP PRESENT
The manual describes harbour colours in home waters at 08:00, or 09:00 from 21 September to 25 March, with the ensign lowered at sunset. Ships follow the senior yacht club or warship present. This animation illustrates period practice.

Inside the book

  • Ensigns, yacht-club burgees and house flags
  • Racing and prize flags, salutes and mourning
  • Dressing ship, illustrated for different rigs
  • Period signals, with an index for reference

About this edition

Paperback edition.

Reading the historical text

A historical reference to British yachting practice; its regulations and signals reflect the period in which it was written.

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