Lighthouse Service (U.S.)

Bureau of Lighthouses

Last modified: 2002-10-05 by rick wyatt
Keywords: lighthouse service | departmental | united states |
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by Joe McMillan, 22 October 2000
Lighthouse Service Vessel Pennant

• Description
• Commissioner of Lighthouses
• Supterintendent of Lighthouses

See also:

• Coast Guard
• Departmental Flags
• United States of America

The Bureau of Lighthouses, or Lighthouse Service, was first established in 1789. It was placed in the Department of Commerce and Labor when that department was created in 1903, but transferred to the Coast Guard in 1939.

Lighthouse Service vessels, such as lightships and tenders, flew a triangular white pennant with a red border and the silhouette of a lighthouse in blue on the center.
Joe McMillan, 22 October 2000
Source: U.S. Navy's Flags of Maritime Nations [usn38])

by Joe McMillan, 22 October 2000

The head of the bureau was entitled the Commissioner of Lighthouses. He flew a flag in the standard (approximately 27:38) proportions used for other U.S. seagoing personal flags. It was blue with a white triangle, the apex in the fly, bearing the silhouette of a lighthouse in blue.
Joe McMillan, 22 October 2000
Source: U.S. Navy's Flags of Maritime Nations [usn38])

by Joe McMillan, 22 October 2000

There was also a position entitled Superintendent of Lighthouses, which I believe was the title of the head of each district. The superintendent's flag was white with a blue border and the silhouette of a lighthouse in blue.
Joe McMillan, 22 October 2000
Source: U.S. Navy's Flags of Maritime Nations [usn38])