HOW TO "BREAK" A FLAG.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 41, 10 June 1914, Page 4

HOW TO "BREAK" A FLAG.

A correspondent of an Australian contemporary, in a letter to the editor, writes interestingly on the matter of "breaking" a flag as against "unfurling" it. He says:---The practice of hoisting a flag rolled in a ball and "breaking it out" at the masthead is usually adopted at gatherings where the Sovereign has arranged to be present or, for instance, on the Royal yacht, or, say, at Windsor Castlo, and on his arrival the flag (the Royal Standard) is immediately broken out. It is also adopted on shipboard with the "House" flag and ensign, which are flown at and from a specified hour, viz., 8 a.m. until sunset. In order that the flag may he in position immediately 8 o'clock is struck on the ship's bell, it is rolled up and hoisted some time previously, and when the time arrive* is broken out, already in position. If an opportunity is afforded of watching the flagship shortly before sunset one would see a miniature edition of tho Admiral's flag hoisted to the masthoad ready to. be broken out as soon as the larger flag (flown during the day) is lowered at sunset. 1 may explain that an Admiral's flag is flown day and night during the whole term of his commission, and is not even lowered to half-mast at the Sovereign's death, only should the Admiral die during his term. It may be that the custom of rolling

flags up to be hoisted originated in the days of sailing ships, when flags so run up would be Jess liable to foul the vessel's rigging than if flying out in a breeze. I have never seen ordinary flag signals, either on mercantile or naval vessels, hoisted "unbroken," but in modern steamers trouble from the rigging could hardly exist.