Pilot Jack until 1894 (Spain)

Last modified: 2005-02-26 by santiago dotor
Keywords: pilot | jack | chequy (red-white) | chequy (red-yellow) |
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by Phil Nelson
Flag abolished 1894

• Description
• Mistaken Variant

See also:

• Other Ensigns and Naval Flags 1785-1931 (Spain)
• Spain

I think the American-Spanish War website has made a mistake regarding the 19th century Spanish pilot flag. It was not a pilot flag as such, but a pilot jack — a jack signalling "I request a pilot". Moreover, it was not chequered red and yellow, but chequered red and white; this jack was originally the banner of Burgundy according to Gordon 1915, page 228.

Miles Li, 16 July 1999

I think Miles Li is correct. In Wilson 1985, page 70, R.H. Laurie's flag chart (1842) shows a chequered flag (red-white, 4 columns × 3 rows), as Spanish signal for a pilot.

Jarig Bakker, 4 January 2000

According to American-Spanish War website
by António Martins