Upside down Union Jacks - they're everywhere !

bluenoseam

It is Poundland, the chances are it's some work programe lackey who's put them up - with that being said I couldn't tell you which way up is the correct way. With that being said, i am highly unlikely to fly a Union flag, as a proud Scotsman if i am to fly any colours it will be that of Scotland.

fluffnutter

Andy_L wrote: »

A boat can be carried on-board a ship but not vice-versa is one I've heard

Me too. Although I'm not sure you'd be able to fit a Vanguard Class sub on a Type 45 destroyer.

NBLondon

fluffnutter wrote: »

Me too. Although I'm not sure you'd be able to fit a Vanguard Class sub on a Type 45 destroyer.

I interpret that as "If it carries a smaller vessel - it's a ship. If not, it's a boat." So the destroyer is a ship because it carries motor boats and so on for getting about in harbour but the submarine is a boat because it doesn't. Thus a very big boat (long-range sub) could be larger than a small ship (corvette or frigate). In theory, that would mean a large submarine that carried a smaller one would be a ship if anyone ever built one.

I learnt the correct way to display a Union Jack in the Cubs.:)

fluffnutter

NBLondon wrote: »

I interpret that as "If it carries a smaller vessel - it's a ship. If not, it's a boat." So the destroyer is a ship because it carries motor boats and so on for getting about in harbour but the submarine is a boat because it doesn't. Thus a very big boat (long-range sub) could be larger than a small ship (corvette or frigate). In theory, that would mean a large submarine that carried a smaller one would be a ship if anyone ever built one.

I learnt the correct way to display a Union Jack in the Cubs.:)

Lucky you. The Brownies was all about knitting and baking inedible cakes.

Jo84_2

Every day's a school day!!

I had no idea there was a right way up!!

I may have to start asking around now and find out how many actually knew this, if only to make myself feel a little less stupid!

dacouch

NBLondon wrote: »

I interpret that as "If it carries a smaller vessel - it's a ship. If not, it's a boat." So the destroyer is a ship because it carries motor boats and so on for getting about in harbour but the submarine is a boat because it doesn't. Thus a very big boat (long-range sub) could be larger than a small ship (corvette or frigate). In theory, that would mean a large submarine that carried a smaller one would be a ship if anyone ever built one.

I learnt the correct way to display a Union Jack in the Cubs.:)

This was covered on QI recently, the Navy regard surface vessels as boats and underwater vessels as boats

Azari

fluffnutter wrote: »

Lucky you. The Brownies was all about knitting and baking inedible cakes.

You'd think if they were going to go to the trouble of teaching you to bake cakes they'd at least choose edible ones.

Sheesh! :mad:

MothballsWallet

fluffnutter wrote: »

That's a great one. I've heard all sorts of reasons, my favourite being whether they tilt in or out when turning a corner, but I don't actually think there's a definitive answer. In the main, I think it simply comes down to size (which of course can be interpretative).

Of course in the RN, a surface vessel is always a 'ship' and a submarine a 'boat'. Although they have little dinghies and whatnot in the RN. Are these still 'ships'?

It's a minefield!

And in the intelligence community it goes:

West: she
Russia/USSR: he
CIA, MI6, etc.: it

Fruitcake

fluffnutter wrote: »

Me too. Although I'm not sure you'd be able to fit a Vanguard Class sub on a Type 45 destroyer.

Maybe not, but it will easily fit on a sandbar, then at least you would have a genuine reason for flying the flag downside up. :rotfl:

ellay864

On the subject of the Union Jack (sorry, i know nothing about ships/boats other than in less than 3 weeks I go off cruising on a nice big one ) Some years ago I was on holiday in Florida and Seaworld were flying flags of all nations. I saw the Union Jack was upside down and mentioned in more in joke than anything else to one of the staff who had heard our accent and was asking about England. He promptly radioed for the manager to come over, he appeared and wrote down what we said about the flag, asked me to explain the right and wrong way and said he would arrange for staff to change it, and apologised if he had caused any offence!