"Unrated Pennants Question" Topic

Greetings,

I've recently purchased some merchant vessels and some unrated vessels.

I have two questions regarding pennants.

1) What colours would the merchant ships fly if any at all ? Would e.g. a Dutch merchantman fly the Dutch colours or would it not so as to demonstrate neutrality?

2) Would fireships fly any colours or would they not so as to cause confusion to the enemy until it was too late ?

Thanks!

Depends on the date. Up to and a bit past the Anglo-Dutch wars they would probably fly a port or provincial flag to indicate their origin, possibly alongside a national flag (but not all Netherlanders felt particularly strongly about their nation, their own province was often more significant to them). Later there is a merchant ensign that was more commonly used – but again provincial flags still commonplace but flown in lower status positions.

I can see you mean the main flags flown, pennants are a different story, much less is known about their use in early times.

No idea about fireships.