The SteelNavy.Com Message Board: Re: A question about flags -Imperial German Navy=> 1919...<==

A quick search gets me this article:

https://tmg110.tripod.com/impger1.htm

Then, a whole mess of antique imperial flags for sale.

From the above link comes this item:

"From 1871 to 1893, naval auxiliary vessels flew the war ensign with a blue anchor added below the canton. Thereafter they flew a variant of the black-white-red national flag with an imperial crown over an anchor, both gold, on a white disk. Also adopted in 1893 was an ensign for merchant ships commanded by naval reserve officers: a black-white-red national flag with a large Iron Cross at the hoist."

Images of these flags appear in the linked article.

I assume the tugs would fall under "naval auxiliary?" You indicate they are in a certain department of the Imperial Navy. I don't think they're "merchant ships commanded by naval reserve officers," but that is perhaps possible.

No idea what the SMS VULKAN would fly...if anything.

HTH some

Previous Message

Good day all!

as some may know --

I am actually coming to the end of a lengthy on/off project... 2013 -- 2022 ( !! )

14 pages of pain ... can be read at the link below--or skip fwd to page 13....

viewtopic.php?f=59&t=154091

The SMS VULKAN, as in 1919---in the process of being towed away
from the mouth of the Elbe River ( Hamburg) to Harwich in England for breaking up/scrapping.
( war reparations-- ( and vessel obsolete/ superseded -ergo no interest to the English or the Germans...

So --to the question of flags...--

Both ocean going Tugs , one German RETTER ( 1885 ) and one ex-Dutch SCHELDE 1906 are in the employ of the 'Sea -transport department' of the Imperial Navy-- but neither vessel is offensively or otherwise armed --

.==> what Ensign--if any would they have flown ? Naval ?
.......==> indeed were any ships of the Navy flying their ensigns at this time?

I would think --that the VULKAN herself-- would not fly a Naval Ensign?
==> --having already been discarded by the Navy for breaking--and in any case being towed and not under her own power...?

I have only 1 x image of the Schelde (i) ( ex Dutch ) in 1918-- there is a 'flaglet' hoisted off the gaff--
but it appears to be very small and not of the size I would expect of an Ensign?

I have had a couple of suggestions on the MW forum -- but with knowledge -- more is always more!! and I thank you in advance for any further insights ! Regards Jim Baumann