REPUBLIC OF CHILE

NAVAL ENSIGNS & FLAGS  •  CIRCA 1916

During the period of the Great War the naval flags of Chile were similar to those in use today. The national flag served as the naval ensign and the naval jack was the canton of the ensign: a square blue flag with a large white star centered. In general the rank flags followed United States patterns. The presidential flag for use at sea was the national flag charged with the national coat of arms; the Minister of Marine's flag was blue, charged with a white horizontal anchor. The commander of the Navy was the only full admiral and there usually were only two vice-admirals on active duty. For rear-admirals there were two rank flags: blue for a rear-admiral in command and red for a subordinate vice-admiral. Commodores in command and subordinate had blue or red broad pennants. Officers below the rank of commodore in command of squadron or flotilla and the senior officer present flew a red triangular pennant. Flag Proportions: Chilean naval flags were made in 2:3 proportions.