Just for general interest, why do many United States vessels fly the Union Jack?

The US Union Jack - in the US, holidays and Sundays when at anchor or tied up.

Are you getting it confused?

Not at all, just interested in comments.

The US Union Jack is the part of their national flag with the stars in it. The stars represent the member states, so the jack itself has changed over the years to accommodate the additional numbers.

http://navyadvancement.tpub.com/14325/css/14325_120.htm

The "other" Union Jack is the national flag of the United Kingdom.

http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchUK/Symbols/UnionJack.aspx

Hope this helps.

Is Mise,

Ok you know the difference and Pericles has taken the trouble to spell it out.

As a boatie I am interested in flag etiquette but few others might be. That explains why I was a little surprised by your curiosity. The communication of flags and the traditions are passing quickly. I am no expert. The US Jack is the canton, as is the UK Jack.

While on flags, the Australian merchant marine proudly stick to the tradition of the Red Ensign. It is tradition. Some interfering fool of a PM (Gough) interfered, but eventually went away. Although he was able to rule some Presidential (sic) force on the Navy practice, where his memory still stinks. Now some soldier of the Left will take offence at that, OLO being OLO. LOL

My flag is the Upper Murray River flag. Been my ensign for 20 years, and always flies atop of the poll.

Dear Is Mise,

This may help:

http://www.navyjack.info/history.html

That link omitted to mention that the US Union Jack, which they are right to say is the canton of the national flag, is only flown in US waters. The hours I gave before.

The answer for Is Mise is tradition. In this case the canton of the national flag, a practice inherited from the UK. The British in turn took their ships flag tradition from the Romans.

@579, Monday, 16 June 2014 3:39:29 PM
Good for you and a very pretty flag it is with lots of tradition.
I removed our (land-based) flag pole when we sub-divided and gave it someone who admired its timber and worksmanship. It flew the Australian National Flag.

When I bought my boat it was flying the Blue Ensign but now flies the Red Ensign. Some here might know why.

I should also have asked if any might know why I removed the pole from the transom and held the flag pole horizontal when a navy ship passed when we were 'outside' recently.

OTB,

Did a sailor go for'ard and dip the Jack, and if he did, did he give you a well known salute when out of sight of the bridge?

Is Mise,

Your sailor has a lot to learn.

Friday 13th has come and gone again. While in light spirits, did you ever come across the solution (and its aftermath) that the British employed to overcome the reluctance of sailors to set out to sea on a Friday?

I think that Dave Allen recounted the sad story of HMS Friday (keel laid on a Friday) and Captain James Friday, back in the Seventies. An Irishman would know, I think you would agree.

OTB,

Dave Allen not withstanding, the HMS "Friday" story is, unfortunately, a myth.

You are saying that the Irish are not to be believed?

Today Dave Allen's brilliant satire would so offend the PC set that the BBC would never screen him.

He died relatively young. Sadly missed.