SPANISH NAVAL ENSIGNS & FLAGS 1898-1914

KINGDOM OF SPAIN

NAVAL ENSIGNS, FLAGS & PENNANTS • 1898-1914

At the time of the Spanish-American War, the naval ensign and jack of Spain was the red-yellow-red Spanish flag with the "small" royal arms offset toward the hoist, as first adopted in 1785.

The rank flags in use in 1898 were all based on the ensign, with blue anchors and stars added to distinguish among the various ranks and appointments. There were three Captains-General of the Navy, one for each of Spain's three maritime regions: North Atlantic, South Atlantic and Mediterranean. For the ranks of vice-admiral and rear-admiral there were two flags: one for an admiral in command and one for a subordinate admiral. Captains first class and captains in command of a division had broad pennants, while frigate captains (equivalent to the US naval rank of commander) and senior officers has triangular pennants.

This system of appointment and rank flags, with anchors placed to the left and right of the arms depending on appointment or rank, was somewhat confusing and was replaced in 1914 by a simpler system.