ArtefactPorn

251 readers

7 users here now

Artefact - an object made or given shape by man, such as a tool or a work of art, especially an object of archaeological interest.

For images of the heritage, art, relics and other remains of mankind.

founded 3 years ago

MODERATORS

dash_o_truth@lemmy.ml

HaggierRapscallier@feddit.nl

106

The giant flag of the french ship Le Généreux, which was captured by one of Admiral Nelson’s captains Sir Edward Berry at the Battle of Malta Convoy in 1800 (lemmy.nz)

submitted 2 years ago by sjmarf@sh.itjust.works to c/artefactporn@lemmy.ml

12 comments fedilink hide all child comments

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world 16 points 2 years ago (2 children)

The masts on these ships were over a hundred feet tall, so from the top you could see for about 12 miles. To communicate their intentions at that distance they needed really huge flags, especially because they might be hull-down - their hull is hidden over the horizon but not the masts - which would mean recognizing the ship was hard.

[–] Poiar@sh.itjust.works 13 points 2 years ago (1 children)

For everybody else that wanna understand:

Over 30 m tall.

See for about 19 km.

[–] Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world 9 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Normally I would have done the conversion but I was feeling especially imperial

[–] Igloojoe@lemm.ee 4 points 2 years ago

Well you didnt go fully into American measuring. The mast was 4 trees tall, and you could see the flag from over 5 corn fields away.

[–] peto@lemm.ee 5 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I think this flag is a war ensign, flown from the stern of the ship rather than a mast top.

[–] Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago

Of course, but what I wanted to get across was that from the masthead you could see 12 miles, so you'd need a big flag to be discernible from that distance, even if it's flown from the stern.