Introduction
he Regia Marina was born on march 17th, 1861 with the merging of the Royal Sardinian Navy, the Neapolitan Army of the Sea and the Navy of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. The Pontifical Navy would be added in 1971. At the date of its creation, the Regia Marina adopted the flag for all warships and merchant ships as originally set for the Royal Sardinian Navy in 1948.
General Flags
Warships
Merchant Ships
Jack
Instituted by Royal Decree dated April 22nd, 1879and hoisted at the bowsprit of every ship at anchor. It was used at sea only if the ship was full dressed.
Detail of the Royal Arms
Minister of the Navy
Instituted by general order dated February 26th 1927. Hoisted at the main to indicate the presence on board of the Minister of the Navy, and at the bow of ships’ launches and other minor craft. To be saluted with 19 guns.
Undersecretary of the Navy
Same as the prime Minister, but to be saluted by only 17 guns.
Officers Flags
Admiral of the Fleet
Instituted by general order No. 291, dated December 12th, 1926 and hoisted at the main to indicate the presence on board of an Admiral of the Fleet and on the bow of ships’ launches and other minor craft. To be saluted with 19 guns.
Royal Naval Chief of Staff
Instituted by general order No. 78, dated March 19th 1917. The number of stars displayed indicates the rank of the admiral. Hoisted at the main or on the bow of ships’ launches and other minor craft.
Admiral (1st Class)
Instituted by general order No. 291 dated December 12th, 1926 and hoisted at the main to indicate the presence on board of an Admiral or on the bow of ships’ launches and other minor craft. To be saluted with 17 guns.
Vice-Admiral (1st Class)
Instituted by general order No. 87 dated April 13th, 1939. Hoisted at the main to indicate the presence on board of a Vice Admiral or on the bow of ships’ launches and other minor craft. To be saluted with 15 guns.
Vice-Admiral (2nd Class)
Instituted by general order No. 291 dated December 12th, 1926 and hoisted at the main to indicate the presence on board of a Rear Admiral or on the bow of ships’ launches and other minor craft. To be saluted with 13 guns.
Rear-Admiral
Instituted by general order No. 291 dated December 12th, 1926 and hoisted at the main to indicate the presence on board of a Rear Admiral or on the bow of ships’ launches and other minor craft. To be saluted with 11 guns.
Captain commanding a naval division
by Royal Decree dated September 20th, 1882 hoisted at the main to indicate the presence on board of the Senior Captain, should several ships lie at anchor without a Flag being hoisted on any of them.
Notes:
1) The stars on the Admirals’ flags were six-pointed, but later changed to five points by a decree dated September 3rd, 1916.
Technical Corps
General Officers of the Technical Corps of the Navy hoisted white flags with red stars, like generals of the Army. By general order No. 23 dated March 18th, 1944, they were granted the same blue flags as the Admirals, but with white stars instead of the yellow ones.
Vice-Admiral (1st Class) – Technical Corps
Vice-Admiral (2ndClass) – Technical Corps
Rear Admiral – Technical Corps
Other Flags
Pilot Service
Instituted by Royal Decree dated September 20th, 1882 and flown at the foremast by craft belonging to the Pilot Service.
Hospital Ship
Instituted by Royal Decree dated September 20th, 1882 and flown at the foremast as a sign of neutrality by Hospital Ships.
Flag to call the pilot – (warship)
Instituted by Royal Decree dated September 20th, 1882 and flown at the Foremast by warships requiring a pilot.
Flag to call the pilot – (merchant ship)
Instituted by Royal Decree dated September 20th, 1882 and flown at the Foremast by merchant ship requiring a pilot.
Pendants
Senior Officer
Instituted by a general order dated September 11th, 1913 and hoisted at the foremast to indicate, should several destroyers or submarines come together, which ship has on board the senior officer.
Commander of a light units flotilla
Instituted by a general order dated June 8th 1923 and hoisted at the foremast to indicate the Commander of a Flotilla of any type of small units: destroyers, torpedo boats, submarines, PT boats, etc.
Commander of a torpedo boats flotilla
Instituted by a general order dated September 11th, 1913 and hoisted at the foremast to indicate the Commander of a formation of torpedo boats.
Commander of a destroyers flotilla
Instituted by general order dated April 21st, 1904 and hoisted at the foremast to indicate the Commander of a formation of Destroyers.
Commander of a submarines flotilla
Instituted by general order dated June 8th 1923 and hoisted to indicate the Commander of a formation of Submarines.
Commander of a group of motor torpedo boats (M.A.S.) – (PT boats)
Instituted by general order dated June 8th 1923 and hoisted to indicate the Commander of a formation of PT boats.
Auxiliary ship
Instituted with a general order dated August 2nd, 1908 and flown at the foremast of all auxiliary ships belonging to the Regia Marina.
Ship of the Royal Finance Guard
Instituted with a general order dated August 27th 1926 and flown at the foremast of all ships belonging to the Royal Finance Guard (similar, but not like the Coast Guard)
Lightships service
Instituted with a general order dated February 27th 1913 and flown from the foremast of all ships belonging to the service.
Postal Ship
Instituted by Royal Decree dated July 2nd, 1891 and flown from the foremast of all ships carrying Mail.
Pleasure boats (racing)
Instituted with a general order dated August 21st, 1926 and flown from the foremast of all racing craft belonging to the Regia Marina.
Masthead Pendant