House Flags of U.S. Shipping Companies: K

Robert Kermit, later Kermit & Carrow

Robert Kermit, later Kermit & Carrow, New York
Another mid 19th century firm, notable for represented both sides of the family of Theodore Roosevelt's wife Edith Kermit Carrow. Among other routes, Kermit and Carrow operated packets to and from Le Havre. The flag was a blue burgee with a red star.
Source:  chart of "Private Signals of the Merchants of New York"

Joe McMillan, 25 October 2001

Keystone Shipping Company

  by Joe McMillan

Keystone Shipping Company, Philadelphia (Sources: [ste53],[usn61])
One of the few remaining significant companies operating under the U.S. flag. Keystone has long been one of the largest U.S. independent tankship operators (i.e., not owned by one of the oil companies). Lloyd's Maritime Directory for 2001 lists 13 tankers under Keystone (11 active) for a total of 614,000 gross tons. The flag is rather nice (for a flag with lettering on it): yellow with blue stripes near the upper and lower edges and the monogram "KC" for Keystone Company in blue on the center.

Joe McMillan, 25 October 2001

D. & A. Kingsland

  by Joe McMillan

D. & A. Kingsland, New York
The Kingsland brothers operated the "Empire Line" between New York and Liverpool as well as the "Third Line" of New Orleans Packets from at least 1846. They had also become involved in the China trade by 1851. The Kingsland flag was quite distinctive, the field divided blue over white, with a white disk on the blue and a red one on the white.
Source:  chart of "Private Signals of the Merchants of New York"

Joe McMillan, 25 October 2001