Greece: Private signal flags of a merchantman

Last modified: 2005-04-23 by ivan sache
Keywords: signal flags | signal code | saltire (red) | lozenge (blue) | lozenge (red) |
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• Presentation of the signals
• Α (Alpha)
• Β (Beta)
• Γ (Gamma)
• Δ (Delta)
• Ε (Epsilon)
• Ζ (Zeta)
• Η (Eta)
• Θ (Theta)

See also:

• Greece
• Signal flags

Presentation of the signals

As an example of non-universal signalling system, Smith [1975c] reproduces (p. 87) the first page of the hand-written signal book of the Greek vessel Themistocles, showing eight signal flags and the Greek national flag.
The book is preserved in the Benaki Historical Museum in Athens.

The flags stand for the eight first letters of the Greek alphabet.

There are additional captions on the page, but very difficult to read.

Ivan Sache, 10 August 2000

Α (Alpha)

by Ivan Sache

The signal flag for Α is a blue flag with a broad red saltire.

Β (Beta)

by Ivan Sache

The signal flag for Β is a white flag with a red diamond in the middle.

Γ (Gamma)

by Ivan Sache

The signal flag for Γ is a plain blue field.

Δ (Delta)

by Ivan Sache

The signal flag for Δ is a plain white field.

Ε (Epsilon)

by Ivan Sache

The signal flag for Ε is a plain red field.

Ζ (Zeta)

by Ivan Sache

The signal flag for Ζ is made of 25 blue and white squares.

Η (Eta)

by Ivan Sache

The signal flag for Η is a red flag with a yellow rectangle in the middle.

Θ (Theta)

by Ivan Sache

The signal flag for Θ is a light blue field with a dark blue diamond touching the four edges of the flag.

Ivan Sache, 10 August 2000

It is my guess that this flag is erroneously pictured. In my opinion, two shades of blue (for 'significant differentiation') are a very recent invention. I think that the present look of that page must be the result of a correction. Indeed, it seems that traces of "correction" are visible on the reproduction.

Željko Heimer, 10 August 2000