Charlotte Power Squadron


History of USPS Ensign


After spearheading the founding of USPS, P/C/Cs Roger Upton and Charles Chapman designed a distinctive flag for the organization. Commander Upton filed for patent on the design in 1914, and it was officially adopted by USPS in 1915. Early on, the USPS ensign assumed much the same dignity as the yacht ensign and was flown in place of the U.S. ensign while in domestic waters [Bylaw 22.1]. The USPS ensign may be flown only when the vessel is under direct command of a USPS member.

Today, most members prefer to fly their USPS ensign at the lowest starboard spreader of the foremost mast (main mast for schooners), reserving the flag staff (or gaff or leech) for the national flag. When flown from the flag staff, gaff or leech, as a substitute for the U.S. flag, the USPS ensign is displayed only from 0800 till sunset. TheUSPS ensign is never flown in place of the U.S.ensign in foreign waters.


Return CPS Home

Updated: 9 August 2009