union jack

And, since we are on the topic, when my dad  left the Boyd, the goat locker made him a gift of one of the Jacks to commemorate his time with them (and my recent birth).  This has been much lamented, since it was discovered missing (since something always goes missing when you move) after one or another cross-country move we made.

I'd like to have that Jack, and it would not be an easy one to replace, for it is the rarest of all modern Jacks--the 49 star jack used between 4 July 1959 and 4 July 1960.  it took me about a year to find a full 49-star US Flag; still have never found a 49-star Jack.

And, were we to quibble, the UK Union Jack is just that, the canton of the various Ensigns used in the UK.  The true national Ensign, if I remember right is the "White Ensign" --which is a white field with the red cross of St George upon it.  the Jack is the canton in the upper quarter of that ensign.

The UK Merchant Marine flies the Red Ensign, and all red field with the Union jack as canton.  Then, there is the Blue Ensign, similar to the Red, but in blue.

The UK Union Jack (aka union Flag) came about when James VI of Scotland became James I of England and Scotland.  The Union flag featured the perpendicular red on white St George's Cross on England superimposed upon the diagonal white on blue St Andrew's Cross of Scotland.

Some time in the 1800's--certainly after Trafalgar--the Union Jack was revised again, by appending the diagonal red on white Cross of St Patrick of Ireland to make the "modern' Union Flag.

Because there are three Crosses represented, that is why the red stripes of St Patrick are not centered upon the white stripes of the Cross of St Andrew, but, are offset.  (It's also the only way to know if a union flag is flown upside down.)

Don't know whether any other flags were authorised to be flown in lieu of the jack. However the protocol is to fly the national ensign at the fantail and the jack at the bow of a naval ship while at anchor or moored to a pier. Underway the national ensign is to be flown from the masthead and the jack is not flown at all.

Amphib

sub revolution

I've only ever heard of the snake and stripes flag flown during the Bicentenial. Maybe it was just your ship that flew the Gadsden...?

Well, for that matter, I can't find any photos of of that other jack being flown during the Bicentennial, either. I had photos that I had taken myself but Heaven only knows what has happened to them over the years.

Are there any US Navy vets reading this that can help out?

The Serapis Flag is featured on the Ship's Crest of the USS John Paul Jones along with the First Naval Jack. Maybe that's where you got it from, Bill.

I've only ever heard of the snake and stripes flag flown during the Bicentenial. Maybe it was just your ship that flew the Gadsden...?

On that note, I do remember that the "don't tread on me" flag being called the "original" jack is incorrect, because all evidence shows the original jack was just the 13 stripes, no snake or writing. The snake and writing appeared on the flag in a book many years later, and the book was so circulated that it became "fact."

bondoman

Good to know- never trust Wiki.

I'm thinking of DDG 53 which I believe flies the "Serapis" flag, although I can't find a picture....

I can't findany pictures of the Gadsden Flag being flown during the Bicentennial, either. Very frustrating, but I know I am right. It's driving me nuts!

I've heard something about the "Serapis" flag on the DDG-53, what's the deal on it?

From what I remember (had to do a project on this once) a union jack is the same thing as a naval jack, and is supposed to be a simplified version on the national flag. Hence why our regular one is just the blue field and 50 stars. Pretty sure most navies have them, or something similar. For example, I'm pretty sure the Japanese navy (or self defense force, WTH they're called) still flies the rising sun flag as their jack.

Good to know- never trust Wiki.

I'm thinking of DDG 53 which I believe flies the "Serapis" flag, although I can't find a picture....

The Gadsden Flag was actually the flag used as the jack from 1975-1976 in honor of the US Bicentennial, not the "First Naval Jack" with the uncoiled rattlesnake and stripes.

I know this first hand as I was responsible for hoisting it on the USS Lexington when I had the duty. The other snake flag has been repeatedly been referred to as the one flown during 1975-1976 but in gross error.

You aren't referring to the Church Pennant are you? It is flown above the Ensign during Church Call. But not on the jackstaff.

At least one USN ship flies a second flag on it's jack. Guess what that is?

The USN "Union Jack" was a "union" i.e. blue field with white stars, flag flown on the jack staff of the ship while it is anchored or otherwise made fast. In 1915 it would have had 48 stars in 6 rows of 8. The proportions are the same as the canton (field) on the national ensign. It is flown from 0800 to sunset.

In 1976 this was traded for the First Navy Jack for one year, the one with the 13 horizontal stripes, and it got a probably not historically accurate rattlesnake and motto added. And again in 1980 the longest active status ship (other than Constitution) flew it. Starting on 9/11/2002 all ships fly it.

Grumpy old guy comment: I wish this stuff didn't get messed around with so much, like the Army adopting black berets service wide.

There's no distinction between capital/ lower case. Both/ all such flags are capitalized.

In the USN, it is called a Naval Jack or just plain ol' jack.

I just looked it up ,it seems to be that flag with just the blue field and the 50stars