![[Naval ensign]](../images/a/ah~1786.gif)
image
by Željko Heimer, 29 September 2007
Last modified: 2013-07-27 by rob raeside
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This report concerns ensigns on Austrian (Hapsburg) ships
from 1786. This report is heavily based on my paper prepared for the
XXI ICV in Buenos Aires, 2005 [Heimer, 2005]. It is to be noted that
these flags were not regulated with any precision of the design that
we may think of for flags today, so mostly only the general pattern was
followed (even when they were regulated more precisely). Also, the ensign was
the responsibility of the ship's captain and he was ordering it from a flag maker -
both the captain and maker took great liberty in interpreting the
design.
Željko Heimer, 24 September 2007
See also:
image
by Željko Heimer, 29 September 2007
The reformation made by Emperor Joseph II enlarged the naval presence on the
Adriatic only a little. A new naval flag was required to match the new identity
of the Austrian Empire. The red-white-red triband of Austria was finally
introduced in 1786 as a naval and merchant ensign. It included a crowned
Austrian shield off-set to the upper hoist. This remained in use unchanged in
basic design virtually until the end of the Monarchy. Although it suffered some
slight artistic changes and its usage was after a century limited to naval ships
only, and it was de jure replaced with a flag with two shields in 1915, it was
the ensign that was lowered at the surrender of the Austro-Hungarian ships in
1918. The triband design was retained by the new Austrian Republic in 1918 to be
used still today as the basis of the national flag. [Deppermann and Ruschke,
1844; Rosenfeld, 1883; Lehnert, 1886; Siegel, 1912; Neubecker, 1939; Khuepach,
1941; Baumgartner, 1977]
While the ensign was adopted on 20 March 1786,
Siegel notes the date of introduction of this ensign was 1 January 1787 in the
Adriatic and 26 March 1787 for the Austrian Netherlands. The same flag was
prescribed as the jack (only in smaller dimensions).
Željko Heimer,
29 September 2007
![[Masthead pennant]](../images/a/ah~1786p.gif)
image
by Željko Heimer, 29 September 2007
The masthead pennant was also changed accordingly to red-white-red triband
triangular pennant. Permission for the merchant ships to fly this pennant was
revoked in 1804 after Austria gained the majority of formerly Venetian held
possessions on the Eastern Adriatic in 1797 with the Peace of Campoformio, when
the fleet rose in numbers. So since 1804, the triband with the crowned coat of
arms is exclusively naval ensign.
Željko Heimer, 29 September 2007
Sources:
- Baumgartner, Lothar, 1977: Die Entwicklung der
Österreichischen Marineflagge, Militaria Austriaca, Gesellschaft für Österreichische
Heereskunde, Wien, p. 29
- Heimer, Željko, 2005: The Naval Flags on the
Eastern Adriatic, XXI ICV Buenos Aires Vexillobaires 2005 (proceedings in
print)
- Khuepach, Arthur von, 1941: "Interessantes aus der
Österreichisch-ungarischen Kriegsmarine", Marine-Rundschau, nr. 46,
Münch,
Bonn, p. 301
- Lehnert, Josef von, 1886: "Beiträge zur Geschichte der k. k.
Flagge. Vortrag, gehalten im militär-wissenschaftlichen Verein zu Wien am
13. März 1885", Organ der militär-wissenschaftlichen Vereine, nr. 31,
Mayer, Wien, pp. 3-4
- Novak, Grga, 2004b: "Jadransko more u sukobima i
borbama kroz stolječa II. Od 1409. godine do Drugog svjetskog rata", Marjan
tisak, Split
