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Croatia - Houseflags of Austro-Hungraian Companies with the Home Port in the Current Croatian Ports

Last modified: 2005-11-12 by dov gutterman
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Bakar Steamship Company - Bakar


image by Željko Heimer, 16 October 2004

Bakar Steamship Company (Bakarsko parobrodarsko društvo), Bakar - Bakar is an excellent natural port east of Rijeka (Fiume), and unlike Rijeka who was given to direct Hungarian rule, it remained under the Croatian rule. In the mid-19th century the Bakar shipowners had 22 sailships, and in 1875 the Coratian Shiping Company (Hrvatsko brodarsko društvo) was established initially with three sailships: Ban Mažuranic, Hrvat and Bakaran. In 1878 the first steamship was build: Grad Bakar, and the steamship company was established under this name. After the building of the direct railroad to Rijeka in late 1880's, the importance of Bakar gradually diminished. Isaic describes that the Croatian shipowners used the Croatian tricolour as the base for their houseflags and gives example of the BBD (=Bakarsko Brodarsko Društvo), who used the tricolour with these initials in the middle. The image provided here is a reconstuction based on that description (and may well be incorect). The flag must have been used in the second half of the 19th century and was probably abandoned towards the end of it.
Sources: [isa01] Vladimir Isaic: Pomorski obicaji i tradicije, Adamic, Rijeka, 2001. Hrvatska Enciklopedija, Leksikografski zavod "Miroslav Krleža", 1999.
Željko Heimer, 16 October 2004

Previous Flag of Croatian Shiping Socitey


image by Željko Heimer, 9 November 2005

Bakar Steamship Society was established in 1875 as the Croatian Shiping Socitey (Hrvatsko brodarsko društvo, HBD) and renamed already in 1878.
A painting reproduced in an encyclopedia (oil "Bark 'Ban Mažuranic'", reproduced in "Opca i nacionalna enciklopedija u 20 knjiga", knjiga 2, "Ar-Be", Pro leksis & Vecernji list, Zagreb 2005. p. 186.) showes the flag of HBD. The flag was based on the national colours, but it was not tricoloured tribar, being blue-white-blue tricolour with the red inscription HBD in the central stripe. The painting showes it hoisted atop the mainmast of "Ban Mažuranic" and with the Dual Monarchy flag as the ensign. The painting is probably preserved somewhere in Croatia, I would guess in the Bakar Museum
Željko Heimer, 9 November 2005


Dubrovnik Steamship Line - Dubrovnik


image by Željko Heimer, 9 November 2003

In Yugoslaviaat 'Larousse Commercial' of 1930:
Dubrovacka Parobrodska Plov. (Dubrovnik, founded in 1888): horizontally divided red over blue, thin white letters D and P in the middle separated by an equally thin white anchor (without cable). Height of letters and anchor: one half of the flag's height; they are spaced like this: the first 1/5 of the flag's length contains no element, the next one the letter D, and so on. (Funnel: black.)
Jan Mertens, 26 October 2003

Here is an image based on Vladimir Isaic: Pomorski obicaji i tradicije, Adamic, Rijeka, 2001 [isa01]. The flag is horizontally divided in red over blue with an ancorh in the middle between letters DP.
Željko Heimer, 9 November 2003

At <www.travelbrochuregraphics.com> there is a travel brochure and schedule: "Dalmatienreisen 1936/37, published by the Dubrovacka Parobrodska Plovidba A.D., 1936. By Hanns Wagula. Printed by "Kotor."
We see a version which rather looks like the one "Sandy Hook" gives in the 1930 "Larousse Commercial". The travel brochure's flag (if you look closely it appears more like a Coat of Arms, but you see what is meant) has the letters above the anchor flukes; "Sandy" draws the anchor between the letters and the three design elements have the same width and height.
The [isa01] version, although very elaborate, has more in common with the 1930 version than the one we see on above website.
Perhaps it is all a question of artistic license? And then, "Sandy"'s drawings are not very detailed.
Jan Mertens, 9 November 2003

Dubrovnik Steamship Line (Dubrovacka parobrodska plovidba), Dubrovnik Also known as Ragusea (Ragusa=Dubrovnik). The company is established in 1880 as a carat society (is this known in English, too?). It was also known as Dubrovacka plovidba and Ragusea. The flag is horizontally divided in red over blue with an ancorh in the middle between letters DP is shown by Isaic for the post-1918 company of the same name and it was most probably used in this period too. The choice of colours again indicate the Croatian tricolour as the base. I shall provide some more details when dealing with 1918-1941 flags.  
Sources: [isa01] Vladimir Isaic: Pomorski obicaji i tradicije, Adamic, Rijeka, 2001. Pomorski leksikon, Jugoslavenski leksikografski zavod "Miroslav Krleža", Zagreb, 1990.
Željko Heimer, 16 October 2004


Dubrovnik Maritime Society - Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik Maritime Society (Dubrovacko pomorsko društvo), Dubrovnik Company was active between 1869 and 1889, operating a dozen sailships. I have no data on houseflag.  
Source: Pomorski leksikon, Jugoslavenski leksikografski zavod "Miroslav Krleža", Zagreb, 1990.
Željko Heimer, 16 October 2004


Napried - Dubrovnik


image by Željko Heimer, 16 October 2004

Napried, Navigazione a Vapore Napried Ragusa, Dubrovnik -  The company was established in 1894 with the first ship named also Napried (name also spelled "Naprijed"). In 1912 operated 8 ships owned by captains Marinovic and Negini, in 1913 was added ship Dubrovnik. Two ships were lost in WWI and in 1918 company was merged with Dubrovacka parobrodska plovidba. The flag is red over blue bicolour with white letter N overall. This flag yealded a whole set of house flags from Dubrovnik and variations are used still today. Origin of colours is the Croatian tricolour and the red and blue barry coat of arms of Dubrovnik.
Source: Flags and Funnels of the principal steamship lines of the world, London, Lloyd's 1912 (Thanks to information provided by Ian Sumner 05 Nov 2002.
Željko Heimer, 16 October 2004


Unione - Dubrovnik


image by Željko Heimer, 1 January 2004

Houseflag of a shipping company with headquarters in cities today in Croatia from Lloyd's Flags and Funnels, 1912. I based it on very helpful information kindly provided by Ian Sumner and scans of the 1912 book at <www.mysticseaport.org>. Number refer to the figures in the Lloyd's.
316. Navigazione a Vapore "Unione" - Dubrovnik - Red over blue bicolour with a white cypher of ligatured letters UR. (they stand presumably for Unione Ragusa).
Željko Heimer, 1 January 2004

Navigazione a Vapore "Unione" Dubrovnik - The overseas line company established in 1890 as caratist society lead by Ivan Racic, in 1907 with 7 cargo hips company retained 4 and 3 were seceeded to Slobodna plovidba Ivo Racic i drugovi. In 1914 had 14 cargo ships, merged with Dubrovacka parobrodska plovidba in 1918. The flag is red over blue bicolour with white cypher UR (= Unione Ragusa) overall.
Source: Flags and Funnels of the principal steamship lines of the world, London, Lloyd's 1912 (Thanks to Ian Sumner). Pomorski leksikon, Jugoslavenski leksikografski zavod "Miroslav Krleža", Zagreb, 1990.
Željko Heimer, 16 October 2004


Austro-Croatian Steamship Company - Punat

Austro-Croatian Steamship Company (Austro-hrvatsko parobrodarsko društvo na dionice), Punat - The company was established in 1906, fusioned in 1912 with the Krcko of Šilo, maintened lines in Kvarner bay with four steamships. No flag info.
Source: Pomorski leksikon, Jugoslavenski leksikografski zavod "Miroslav Krleža", Zagreb, 1990
Željko Heimer, 16 October 2004

From <www.booneshares.com>: "Formed to offer coastal shipping services in the Fiume/Rijeka gulf area. The company owned three small ships, each of around 200 tons, doubtless operating around the gulf islands. All directors were local men". See also photo of a share at <www.booneshares.com/0345.jpg>.
Jan Mertens, 16 October 2004

According to Talbot-Booth [Merchant Ships 1942] it amalgamated in 1922 into Jadranska Plovidba D.D.
Neale Rosanoski, 5 November 2004

Could it be that the company emblem, when put on a flag, is the red star on white shown on the share linked to?  See   <www.booneshares.com>. The star, seven-pointed, seems to have no relation to Punat (Ponte).
Jan Mertens, 9 January 2005

I though of this, too. However the shield there seems to be parted per fess argent a seven-pointed star gules and (azure an anchor in bend sinistre argent). This entire part in the parentheses is hard to tell and is just my guessing - the lower half is shown dark, could be any heraldic colour, the charge in it seems to be an anchor, possibly fouled, probably of some metalic colour, and it is hard to tell if the artist intended to have it slanted or vertical...  
Now, when I think of it, there is a connection between this shield and the historical Croatian flags. Remeber the National Geographic 1917 flag chart on pp. 370-371 of 1705, the "flag" captioned Esclavonia (fig. 1052)? This is the Coat of Arms of the most inportant noble family of the region - Frankopani (Frangepan): per fesss gules and or in the first a mullet of the last. Frankopan's were lords of the island Krk (Italian name Veglia) on which Punat is the most important natural harbour. The Frankopan's heritage is still strong and venerated on Krk, it would not be unusual that their Coat of Arms served as basis for the steamship company.
Željko Heimer, 9 January 2005


Krcko parobrodarsko društvo - Šilo

No flag info.
Željko Heimer, 16 October 2004


Capponi & Freno - Mali Lošinj


image by Željko Heimer, 17 October 2004

Capponi & Freno, Mali Lošinj (B.U. Capponi & Giovanni Freno - Lussinpiccolo) - The flag is red and white divided in diagonal cross. I found no data on the company.
Source: Flags and Funnels of the principal steamship lines of the world, London, Lloyd's 1912 (Thanks to Ian Sumner).
Željko Heimer, 17 October 2004


Martinolich & Co. - Mali Lošinj


image by Željko Heimer, 17 October 2004

Martinolich & Co., Mali Lošinj (Marco U. Martinolich & Co. - Lussinpiccolo) - Blue flag with white lozenge throughout.   Marko's father Nikola was leading shipbuilder in Mali Lošinj, among others building the 700 t bark Leone, largest in the Lošinj fleet, and the 2500 t nava Imperatrice Elisabetta, largest on the Adriatic. In 1885 began building iron ships, Marko built 71 ship totaling to over 9000 t. The steamship company was etsablished in 1911 with 7 steamships. The company closed in 1937.
Source: Flags and Funnels of the principal steamship lines of the world, London, Lloyd's 1912 (Thanks to Ian Sumner). Pomorski leksikon, Jugoslavenski leksikografski zavod "Miroslav Krleža", Zagreb, 1990.  
Željko Heimer, 17 October 2004

Marco U. Martinolich apparently subsequently located himself in Trieste and in the late 1950s to latter 1960s was again a shipowner under the title of Marco U. Martinolich Societŕ di Navigazione per Azioni, still using the same flag as shown by US Navy 1961 and Stewart 1963.
Neale Rosanoski, 5 November 2004


Premuda & Co. - Mali Lošinj


image by Željko Heimer, 17 October 2004

Premuda & Co., Mali Lošinj (Societé di Navigazione a Vapore Eredi Matteo Premuda & Co. - Lussinpiccolo) - Blue flag with white letter P. I found no data on the company.
Source: Flags and Funnels of the principal steamship lines of the world, London, Lloyd's 1912 (Thanks to Ian Sumner).
Željko Heimer, 17 October 2004


Vapore Lussino - Mali Lošinj


image by Željko Heimer, 17 October 2004

Vapore, Mali Lošinj (Societé Anonima di Navigazione a Vapore Lussino - Lussinpiccolo) - The flag is white with black letter L. I found no data on the company.
Source: Flags and Funnels of the principal steamship lines of the world, London, Lloyd's 1912 (Thanks to Ian Sumner).
Željko Heimer, 17 October 2004

I understand that “Vapori” means ‘steam’ or “steamer’ in a nautical context and therefore suggest that “Lussino” would be a more appropriate heading. The image is also not quite right as the “L” is red, not black, and is so shown by Lloyds 1912 amongst others. According to Talbot-Booth, who from 1936 on shows it as Italian, it was formed in 1907 and is apparently another that relocated in Trieste being shown there in the early 1950s by Lloyds as Societŕ di Navigazione “Lussino”.
Neale Rosanoski
, 5 November 2004


image by Jarig Bakker, 7 February 2005

At Brown's Flags and Funnels of British and Foreign Steamship Companies, compiled by F.J.N. Wedge, Glasgow, 1926 [wed26] - Soc. Anon. Di Nap. A Vap., Lussino - Lussinpiccolo - white flag, red "L".
Jarig Bakker, 7 February 2005


Adria - Rijeka


image by Željko Heimer, 27 March 2004

Adria, Rijeka (Royal Hungarian Sea Navigation Company "Adria" Limited - Fiume) - The flag is light green with white oval containing a red letter A over a cabled ablue anchor. Griffin calls the company: Adriatic Hungarian Steam Navigation Co. with slightly different emblem that include crown above the emblem, but the illustration is to small to recognize details.   The company was established in 1882 in Rijeka. It was the leading steamship company of the Croato-Hungarian part of the Monarchy, connectiong Rijeka with Northeuropean, western Mediterranean and Southamerican harbours. It managed 34 steamships. After the World War it was given to Italy and in 1937 it was fussioned with the Tirrenia company. (see: Italy - Houseflags).   An other company named Adria was established in 1871 in Trieste, but closed in 1878.  
Source: James Griffin, Flags National and Mercantile for the use of officers of the Royal Navy, Mercantile Marine, and yacht sqaudrons, 3rd edition, Portsmouth, Griffin & Co., 1895. Flags and Funnels of the principal steamship lines of the world, London, Lloyd's 1912. Hrvatska Enciklopedija, Leksikografski zavod "Miroslav Krleža", 1999. Pomorski leksikon, Jugoslavenski leksikografski zavod "Miroslav Krleža", Zagreb, 1990.
Željko Heimer, 17 October 2004


Copaitich & Co. - Rijeka


image by Željko Heimer, 17 October 2004

Copaitich & Co., Rijeka (S. Copaitich & Co. - Fiume) - White flag with red six-pointed star. I found no data on the company.
Source: Flags and Funnels of the principal steamship lines of the world, London, Lloyd's 1912 (Thanks to Ian Sumner).
Željko Heimer, 17 October 2004


Grünhut & Co. - Rijeka


image by Željko Heimer, 1 January 2004

Houseflag of a shipping company with headquarters in cities today in Croatia from Lloyd's Flags and Funnels, 1912. I based it on very helpful information kindly provided by Ian Sumner and scans of the 1912 book at <www.mysticseaport.org>. Number refer to the figures in the Lloyd's.
996. Grünhut & Co. - Fiume - Ian reported (or I have misunderstood it that way) the flag with red letter G and stars, while the scanned source show the flag all blue, i.e. the flag is white bordered blue with a blue cross throughout, in the first quarter letter G and in each other quarter a sixpointed star.
Željko Heimer, 1 January 2004

Grünhut & Co., Rijeka (Grünhut & Co. - Fiume) - The flag is white with blue border and blue cross throughout and with a blue six-pointed star in each of the quarters except the canton where a blue letter G is set. Some sources (which?) give the stars and letter G in red. I found no data on the company.
Source: Flags and Funnels of the principal steamship lines of the world, London, Lloyd's 1912 (Thanks to Ian Sumner).
Željko Heimer, 17 October 2004


Indeficienter - Rijeka


image by Željko Heimer, 17 October 2004

Indeficienter, Rijeka (Indeficienter Sea Navigation Co. Ltd. - Fiume) - The flag is Hungarian tricolour of red over white over green with black numbers 1901 in the central stripe. The numbers denote the year when the company was established. The name of the company is taken from the motto of the coat of arms of Rijeka (meaning "inexhaustable"). I found no further data on the company.
Source: Flags and Funnels of the principal steamship lines of the world, London, Lloyd's 1912 (Thanks to Ian Sumner).
Željko Heimer, 17 October 2004


Oriente - Rijeka


image by Željko Heimer, 1 January 2004

Houseflag of a shipping company with headquarters in cities today in Croatia from Lloyd's Flags and Funnels, 1912. I based it on very helpful information kindly provided by Ian Sumner and scans of the 1912 book at <www.mysticseaport.org>. Number refer to the figures in the Lloyd's.
697. Societ`a Anonima Ungherese de Armamento Marittimo "Oriente" - Fiume- Red flag with yellow 14-rayed sun.
Željko Heimer, 1 January 2004


Ugarsko-hrvatsko parobrodarsko društvo (Ungaro-Croato) - Rijeka


image by Željko Heimer, 17 October 2004

Oriente, Rijeka (Ugarsko-hrvatsko parobrodarsko društvo (Ungaro-Croato), Rijeka/Societé in Azioni Ungaro-Croato di Navigazione Marittima a Vapore - Fiume) - The flag is red with white six-pointed star. Coastal shipping society established by fusion of smaller companies of Rijeka and Senj in 1891, developed into the largest coastal company of the Empire with 46 ships. The ships (only three) reminaing after the World War gave birth to Jadranska plovidba, Sušak.
Source: Flags and Funnels of the principal steamship lines of the world, London, Lloyd's 1912 (Thanks to Ian Sumner). Pomorski leksikon, Jugoslavenski leksikografski zavod "Miroslav Krleža", Zagreb, 1990.
Željko Heimer, 17 October 2004


Ugarsko-hrvatsko dioničarsko društvo za slobodnu plovidbu (Ungaro- Croato Libera) - Rijeka


image by Željko Heimer, 17 October 2004

Ugarsko-hrvatsko dioničarsko društvo za slobodnu plovidbu (Ungaro- Croato Libera), Rijeka (Societé in Azioni Ungaro-Croato per la Navigazione Libera - Fiume) - The flag is red with blue six-pointed star. The company established in 1899 in Sušak (Croatian governed part of Rijeka) by the Croatian owners from Rijeka, the coast and Zagreb, having 6 ships in 1914. Changed name ot Prekomorska plovidba after the World War, retaining the same flag.
Source: Flags and Funnels of the principal steamship lines of the world, London, Lloyd's 1912 (Thanks to Ian Sumner). Pomorski leksikon, Jugoslavenski leksikografski zavod "Miroslav Krleža", Zagreb, 1990.
Željko Heimer, 17 October 2004


Senj Steamship Company - Senj


image by Željko Heimer, 18 October 2004

Senj Steamship Company (Senjsko parobrodarsko društvo, Senj) - The flag of the steamship society of Senj was based on the Croatian national tricolour, inscribed with letters SBD in the white stripe. Isaić gives this as an example of usage of the Croatian tricolour by the steamship companies as their houseflags, however this is reconstruction only - the acual flag might have been somewhat different.  found no details on the company, it must have been operating in the second half of the 19th century.
Source: Vladimir Isaić: Pomorski običaji i tradicije, Adamić, Rijeka, 2001.
Željko Heimer, 18 October 2004


Peljesac Maritime Association


image by Željko Heimer, 8 January 2004

At Dubrovnik Maritime Museum, there is a paint of the ship "Eber" of the Peljesac Maritime Association, Orebic, 1870. The text say: "Suspended on the foremast is the flag of the Peljesac Maritime Association bearing the initials AMS (Associazione Marittima di Sabioncello)..."
Jan Mertens, 26 October 2004

From <www.peljesac.info>: "Since 17th century, boats from Peljesac constitued important part of Dubrovnik merchant navy. Shipowner families became even mightier by organizing and investing in coowned sailing ships. Their rise continues under the government of Austrian monarchy, especially in second half of 19th century. Cooperative society for "building (and exploatation) of long range navigation vessels", later "Maritime society of Peljesac" was found 1865, and 1875. they got equipment for naval yard in Orebic. Shipyard was formaly opened by czar Franz Joseph of Austrian monarchy. It was mostly used for repairing of ships, and during his existance (13 years) it built 3 long range navigation sailing ships."
Dov Gutterman, 26 October 2004

Just one such flag, original item, is to be seen in the Maritime Museum of Split that I visited last summer.
Željko Heimer, 28 October 2004

By courtesy of Gordana Tudor, curator of Maritime Museum of Split, where such flag is in the museum display, I got this information: The flag is in the colours of the Croatian tricolour, white lozenge throughout with red and blue triangels surrounding it and balck initials of the society embroideried in the middle on both sides. There are at least three of this flags preserved one each in the museums of Split, Orebic and Dubrovnik and it is found on many paintings of the society's ships. The society was established in 1865 and in a bit more the 20 years of existance buit or purchesed some 33 large sail ships. With the increase of steam shipping the society disolved in 1891.  
More on the society could be found in a book Stjepan Vekaric, "Naši jedrenjaci", Knjizevni krug, Split, 1997.
Željko Heimer, 8 January 2004


Name Pennants

At Dubrovnik Maritime Museum there are two paints od ships with name pennant:
- ship "Danica" of Rodak Bjelovucic, Peljesac, 1887: "at the mainmast a white [triangle] banner with a red border bearing the vessel's name - Danica."
- steamship "Dubrovnik",1892: "at the mizzenmast hangs a [triangle] blue banner with the vessel's name..."
Jan Mertens, 26 October 2004