Imperial Chinese Navy Flags (1909)

Last modified: 2007-08-18 by phil nelson
Keywords: china | chinese empire | naval flags | dragon | stars | anchor | sun (red) |
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• Overview
• Minister of Navy (Haijun Dachen)
• Admiral (Zheng Dutong)
• Vice Admiral (Fu Dutong)
• Rear Admiral (Xie Dutong)
• Commodore (Tongdai)
• Leader (Duizhang)
• Masthead Pennant

See also:

• Chinese Imperial Nautical Flags
• China: Index of pages

Overview

After the defeat of the Beiyang Fleet in the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-95, the Imperial Chinese Navy underwent a period of reconstruction, culminating in the introduction of Western-style uniforms and ranks in August 1909, the rank flags of which are shown here.

Source: "Fujian Arsenal" temporary exhibition at the Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence
Miles Li, 23 May 2007

Minister of Navy (Haijun Dachen)

image by Miles Li, 23 May 2007

Admiral (Zheng Dutong)

image by Miles Li, 23 May 2007

Vice Admiral (Fu Dutong)

image by Miles Li, 23 May 2007

Rear Admiral (Xie Dutong)

image by Miles Li, 23 May 2007

Commodore (Tongdai)

image by Miles Li, 24 May 2007

Note that the Commodore here was not a substantive rank, but rather a captain commanding a squadron.
Miles Li, 24 May 2007

Leader (Duizhang)

image by Miles Li, 24 May 2007

Translated into German as Führerstander, which is equivalent to a Senior Naval Officer's pennant in the English speaking world.
Miles Li, 24 May 2007

Masthead Pennant

image by Miles Li, 24 May 2007

Not displayed in the Museum of Coastal Defence exhibition, but illustrated (along with the other 1909 pattern flags) in the Atlas of Flags in China.
Miles Li, 24 May 2007