Flag of the Ferrol Squadron 1732-1760 (Spain)

Used as basic design for rank flags, pennants and jacks

Last modified: 2015-07-29 by ivan sache
Keywords: ferrol | cross: saltire (red) | saltire (red) | cross: burgundy | anchors: 4 (yellow) |
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image by Sergio Camero, exported to GIF by Santiago Dotor

• Description

See also:

• Burgundy Cross Flag (ensign 1506-1670s, thereafter Jack until 1785)
• State and War Ensign 1701-1759 (Spain)
• Historical Flags 1701-1785 (Spain)

Description

This ensign was used by Navy ships belonging to the El Ferrol Naval Department (1732). Army and Navy flags were modified with the arrival of the Bourbon dynasty to Spain.

The Galleys Ordinance (Ordenanza de Galeras) of 1728 establishes that the Battalion of Galleys [Batallón de Galeras was that a Marines unit? – Ed.], when carrying out service on land, should bear the Commander's Colour, white with the King's arms and a small stockless anchor (rezón) on each corner. The remaining flags are white with the Burgundy saltire.

According to a 1731 regulation, the Windward Navy Battalion (Batallón de la Armada de Barlovento) was to have three Colours: that of the Captain, purple with the King's arms and an anchor on each corner; and two white Colours with the Burgundy saltire and the four anchors.

A Royal Order of 20th January 1732 organized the Navy into three Squadrons. Source: Fernández Gaytan 1985.

Sergio Camero, 01 Jun 2002

The Royal Order of 20th January 1732 said:

Los navíos que se armasen en Ferrol, en todas las referidas insignias y banderas de proa, de botes y lanchas, de la cruz de Borgoña, sobre blanco con cuatro anclas en los extremos del cuadrado que forma la referida cruz.

Vessels built at Ferrol, in all the referred command flags and jacks, boat and launch flags, the cross of Burgundy, on white with four anchors in the corners of the square formed by the referred cross.

Santiago Dotor, 01 Mar 2005