My Next Flag

It's 32 days till Election Day.  I decided that I needed a new flag to fly on November 3rd.  The decision was easy, or at least I am very optimistic that the Democrats will be dealt a resounding vote of NO Confidence.

I decided on my next flag - a Jolly Roger - based on the British submariners tradition of flying this flag on return to port after a "successful" mission.  I believe that on November 2nd, the American people will have delivered their message to Congress and President Obama that WE, The People have NO Confidence in them or their programs.  Thus, a successful mission.

A bit of history:

The Jolly Roger How the Skull and Crossbones became the emblem of submarines during wartime. When the Royal Navy Submarine Service was formed just over 100 years ago, submarines were quite unpopular. The First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Arthur K. Wilson VC, was one of many vocal opponents of the submarine's introduction to the Royal Navy. He stated that submarines were "underhand, underwater and damned un-English…no occupation for a gentleman." He also declared that any submariner captured during a time of war should be 'hanged as a pirate.'

In September 1914, Lieutenant Commander Max Horton, the Captain of HM Submarine E9, attacked and sank the German light cruiser Hela, the first enemy warship sunk in Word War 1. On returning to harbour he flew from his raised periscope a black flag with the skull and crossbones on it, reportedly having a 'dig' at Admiral Wilson. The next known occasion of the flying of the Jolly Roger was on the 27th of June 1915. E12, under the command of Lt. Boyle VC, was returning to ANZAC Cove, from a second patrol into the Dardanelles and flew a red flag with the skull and crossbones on it. The Jolly Roger was next flown by HM Submarine Osiris, in World War II. In October 1941, Admiral Sir Max Horton, Flag Officer Submarines (later to become Commander-in-Chief, Western Approaches & North Atlantic), paid a visit to the Squadron in the Mediterranean. On learning that the submarine Osiris was due in from her latest patrol, after sinking the Italian torpedo boat Palestro, he sent a signal to the Osiris telling her that a motorboat was on its way to meet her at the harbour entrance, where she would be handed a parcel. It was a Jolly Roger, to be flown to indicate its successful patrol. Thereafter, each time a submarine returned from a victorious wartime patrol, it flew its Jolly Roger, with the symbols on it showing the success for all to see.

***********************************************************************************

Of course photos will follow.