Greece: Private signal flags of a merchantman

Last modified: 2001-06-01 by ivan sache
Keywords: signal flags | signal code | saltire (red) | lozenge (blue) | lozenge (red) | alpha | beta | gamma | delta | epsilon | zeta | eta | theta |
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• Overview
• Alpha
• Beta
• Gamma
• Delta
• Epsilon
• Zeta
• Eta
• Theta

See also:

• Greece
• Greece: Historical ensigns
• Signal flags

Overview

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 letters alpha, beta, gamma, delta, epsilon, zeta, eta, and theta, 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

Alpha

by Ivan Sache

A broad red saltire on a blue field.

Beta

by Ivan Sache

A red diamond centered in a white field.

Gamma

by Ivan Sache

Plain blue field.

Delta

by Ivan Sache

Plain white field.

Epsilon

by Ivan Sache

Plain red field.

Zeta

by Ivan Sache

Chequy bue and white, 25 pieces.

Eta

by Ivan Sache

A red field with a yellow rectangle in the middle.

Theta

by Ivan Sache

A light blue field with a dark blue diamond touching the four edges of the flag.

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

Zeljko Heimer, 10 August 2000