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Lighthouse Service (U.S.)

Bureau of Lighthouses

image by Joe McMillan, 22 October 2000
Lighthouse Service Vessel Pennant

Description
Commissioner of Lighthouses
Superintendent of Lighthouses
Airways Division Pennant

See also:

Description

The Bureau of Lighthouses, or Lighthouse Service, was first established in 1789. It was placed in the Department of Commerce and Labor when that department was created in 1903, but transferred to the Coast Guard in 1939.

Lighthouse Service vessels, such as lightships and tenders, flew a triangular white pennant with a red border and the silhouette of a lighthouse in blue on the center.
Joe McMillan, 22 October 2000
Source: U.S. Navy's Flags of Maritime Nations [usn38])

Slightly different rendition of lighthouse on Lighthouse Service Vessel Pennant is seen at www.crossfox.info/USLSFlag.JPG.
Ivan Sarajcic, 30 January 2009

An additional item of interest appears on this page, half way down: www.lighthouseantiques.net/

"21425. [reproduction] U. S. Lighthouse Service District Inspector's Flag. This triangular flag measures 48" long by 25" and is typical of the flags once flown on Lighthouse Service Tenders when the District Inspector was on board. The flag is of the standard design, with navy blue border on a field of white, with a large blue lighthouse silhouette. $79.95"

Adoption of service pennant, according to www.terrypepper.com/lights/lists/chronology.htm:
"1869 The U. S. Lighthouse Service adopted a distinctive flag, which was triangular in shape, with a red border, and bore a blue lighthouse on a white field. The lighthouse tenders displayed this Service flag, in addition to the national ensign."
Jan Mertens, 5 February 2009

Commissioner of Lighthouses

image by Joe McMillan, 22 October 2000

The head of the bureau was entitled the Commissioner of Lighthouses. He flew a flag in the standard (approximately 27:38) proportions used for other U.S. seagoing personal flags. It was blue with a white triangle, the apex in the fly, bearing the silhouette of a lighthouse in blue.
Joe McMillan, 22 October 2000
Source: U.S. Navy's Flags of Maritime Nations [usn38])

Superintendent of Lighthouses

image by Joe McMillan, 22 October 2000

There was also a position entitled Superintendent of Lighthouses, which I believe was the title of the head of each district. The superintendent's flag was white with a blue border and the silhouette of a lighthouse in blue.
Joe McMillan, 22 October 2000
Source: U.S. Navy's Flags of Maritime Nations [usn38])

Airways Division Pennant

image located by Jim Ferrigan, 5 March 2009

Here is a US Lighthouse Service, Airways Division Pennant in the collection of the US Coast Guard Museum in New London, CT.
Jim Ferrigan, 5 March 2009

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