Quote:
| Originally Posted by Ken Bracewell The position of the U.S. Flag on a mast which also has a gaff is a controversial one. According to long-standing maritime tradition, the gaff is the position of honor on a ship and thus is where the U.S. Flag should be flown. Yachting organizations, following the tradition of the seas, erect land-based, gaff-rigged flagpoles and fly the U.S. Flag at the gaff as well, feeling that the gaff is the position of honor on the pole.
The U.S. Code, Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 7(f), which postdates this maritime tradition, states that “when flags of States, cities, or localities, or pennants of societies are flown on the same halyard with the flag of the United States, the latter should always be at the peak. When the flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag of the United States should be hoisted first and lowered last. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the flag of the United States or to the United States flag’s right.”
Alternatively, you can visit the US Power Squadron www.usps.org/national/fecom/faq/gaffpole.html |
I wasn't aware of the tradition of the gaff's prominence; i was working on long-ago and far-away memories from scouting (yes, an Eagle Scout once upon a time!).
Upon googling now,
http://www.usflag.org/flagetiquette.html has nothing on the gaff-rigging either, so I'm at a bit of a loss. I suppose the USCG/Power Squadron would know more than I!
Yes, Carl, I agree. It is a good topic, since there is some room for debate and learning on all parts.
(I suppose I've gotten rusty as a restaurateur spending my time behind the bar rather than at the helm.)