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Thread: Rules for Merchantmen Up Dated

  1. #51
    Surveyor of the Navy
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  2. #52
    2nd Lieutenant
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    Quote Originally Posted by David Manley View Post
    British merchant ships also flew the red ensign from 1674
    That's very useful, many thanks!

  3. #53
    2nd Lieutenant
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    Quote Originally Posted by David Manley View Post
    British merchant ships also flew the red ensign from 1674
    Thanks David! I found this link eventually https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_ensigns Which indicates at the start of the revolution, French merchantmen used a white flag with a tricolour in the top masthead canton, but this was considered too 'Bourbon' - and they changed to a full tricolour.
    It appears Spain used a (variant of?) the national flag.

    The link you put for French above seems to be the late Bourbon ones, but great site!

    I have found the US merchant flags:

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    This was used till 1810, and after this is more likely:

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    Last edited by Herkybird; 11-11-2015 at 18:01. Reason: Adding US

  4. #54
    Admiral of the Fleet.
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    I have also found that the HEIC flew the Red Ensign in the Atlantic if they were North of St. Helena.
    Also here are some of the Merchant flags of Portugal

    http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/pt~hist.html

    and Denmark.

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    The modern national (so also the merchant) flag was defined in 1748. Before that this was the usual form of the flag, apparently, with the cross centered. That such flags were actually used confirms this historic event explained here regarding the defacing of the naval flags for use in the Mediterranean:
    "Regulations dated 25 March 1757 inserted a white panel with the Royal cypher to the intersection of the cross in the Danish flag for ships sailing in the Mediterranean. This was made necessary because of increasing Danish trade and the conclusion of treaties with the North African states who on payment of tribute undertook to respect the flag of Denmark as long as it was distinguished from the flag of Malta. This variant civil ensign survived, with changing cyphers, until it was abolished in 1867.


    Rob.
    Last edited by Bligh; 11-12-2015 at 01:05.

  5. #55
    2nd Lieutenant
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bligh View Post
    I have also found that the HEIC flew the Red Ensign in the Atlantic if they were North of St. Helena.

    Rob.
    Thanks Rob! - That makes it easier, as merchant models can represent East Indiamen as well as standard English merchantmen!

  6. #56
    Ordinary Seaman
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    THANK you for these useful rules for Merchantmen. Very useful and helpful indeed.

  7. #57
    Landsman
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    I have a really dumb question about the rules.... How do you determine if the merchantman surrenders when you are within a half rulers length?

  8. #58
    Admiral of the Fleet.
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    It usually depends on the written instructions in the Scenario Carl. Most Merchantmen would heave to after a shot across the bows from a Man of War. They knew that they could not stand up to the Fire power. If not a close pass double shotted into masts and rigging would do the trick. 25 to 30 men could not prevent 180 boarders taking the ship.
    Rob.

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