KINGDOM OF NORWAY

NAVAL RANK FLAGS  •  1844-75

The 1844 saluting instructions introduced new rank flags for the navies of Norway and Sweden. Like the 1844 war ensign, they incorporated the union mark to symbolize the two countries' personal union under the Swedish crown. The Royal Command Flag was flown by the King in his capacity as commander-in-chief. The admiral's flag was flown from different masts according to rank (admiral at the mainmast, vice-admiral at the foremast, rear-admiral at the mizzenmast). When more than one admiral was present, the senior or commanding admiral flew a flag with crossed yellow batons under the union mark. Commodores flew a broad pennant with an oval fly end, and squadron commanders flew a swallowtailed pennant. In 1858, an amendment to the saluting instructions abolished the common admiral's flags. Norwegian admirals were now ordered to fly the 1844 war ensign as a rank flag; like the 1844 rank flags, it was flown from different masts according to rank. New pennants based on the Norwegian flag were introduced for commodores and squadron commanders. A plain red pennant was introduced for warrant officers. The 1858 rank flags lasted until 1875, when new designs were introduced.

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