REPUBLIC OF CHILE

CURRENT NAVAL ENSIGNS & FLAGS

The national flag of Chile, which is also the naval ensign, was adopted on 18 October 1817 by the provisional government of Captain-General Bernardo O’Higgins. It was displayed publicly for the first time on 12 February 1818, when Chile officially proclaimed independence from Spain. There is some dispute as to the origin of the flag; several sources say that it was designed by an American fighting for Chilean independence in the army of General José de San Martin. Certainly the flag of Chile bears more than a passing resemblance to the Stars and Stripes. The naval flags of Chile also follow United States patterns. The national flag serves as the naval ensign and the jack is the canton of the ensign. Previously the jack was square; nowadays it is made in 2:3 proportions. The presidential flag for use at sea is the national flag charged with the national coat of arms; the minister of Defense's flag for use at sea is blue, charged with the arms. Rank flags are similar to their US equivalents though Chile maintains the practice, abandoned by the US Navy, of providing subordinate rank flags for occasions when two admirals of the same rank are present. The senior officer present afloat, if below the rank of commodore, flies a triangular pennant. The commanding officers of the Navy's torpedo and missile fast attack craft flotillas have distinctive forked command pennants. There are also rank flags for general officers (general of Army, general of Division, general of brigade) and senior officers (brigadiers and colonels) of the Army and Air Force when embarked aboard naval vessels. Flag Proportions: Chilean naval flags are made in 2:3 proportions. Images Added July 2017 President of the Republic & Minister of Defense Afloat  • General Officers & Senior Officers of the Army & Air Force Afloat