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Admiral Yakoumakis Tombazis' private signals (Greece)

Tombazi's signals
Signal flags for Α, Β, Γ, Δ, Ε, Ζ, Η and Θ

See also:

Tombazis' signals

As an example of non-universal signalling system, Smith [1975c] reproduces (p. 87) the first page of the hand-written signal book of the Greek vessel Themistocles, showing eight signal flags and the Greek national flag.

The book is kept in the Benaki Historical Museum in Athen, which shows it on the museum website, with the following caption:

Signal-book of Admiral Yakoumakis Tombazis' flagship Themistokles.
Sepia ink and watercolour on paper, 0.33 x 0.23 m.
Gift of Stephanos Xenopoulos
(Benaki Museum 22077)

Ivan Sache & Valentin Poposki, 1 November 2005

Signal flags for Α, Β, Γ, Δ, Ε, Ζ, Η and Θ

The source shows the signal flags for the eight first letters of the Greek alphabet.

Admiral Tombazis' signal flags - Images by Ivan Sache, 10 August 2000
First row, from left to right: Α, Β, Γ and Δ
Second row, from left to right: Ε, Ζ, Η and Θ
(Click on the flags for larger images)

The source shows the signal flags for the eight first letters of the Greek alphabet.

Α: a blue flag with a broad red saltire.
Β: a white flag with a red diamond in the middle.
Γ: a plain blue field.
Δ: a plain white field.
Ε: a plain red field.
Ζ: a chequered flag made of 5 x 5 blue and white squares.
Η: a red flag with a yellow rectangle in the middle.
Θ: a light blue field with a dark blue diamond touching the four edges of the flag.

Ivan Sache, 10 August 2000

It is my guess that the Θ flag is erroneously pictured. In my opinion, two shades of blue (for 'significant differentiation') are a very recent invention. I think that the present look of that page must be the result of a correction. Indeed, it seems that traces of "correction" are visible on the reproduction.

Željko Heimer, 10 August 2000