image by Željko Heimer, 16 October 2004
Last modified: 2005-11-12 by dov gutterman
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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
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 (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
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
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 (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
No flag info.
Željko Heimer, 16 October 2004
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
