Charlotte Power Squadron


HISTORY  OF  THE  PENNANT
OF
CHARLOTTE  POWER  SQUADRON

Written by P/C Eugene J. Neal Jr., AP


When Charlotte Power Squadron was chartered in 1961, it became necessary to design a distinctive pennant.  The handful of members was long on interest but short on USPS experience.  Robert L. Selby designed the first pennant, which received USPS approval.

The flag primarily was a solid field of dark blue, which was symbolic of the ocean we traverse.  Centrally located near the fly was a white fouled anchor, long a symbol of the yachtsman.  Superimposed on the anchor was a light yellow “hornet’s nest” which is a symbol associated with the local area.  Toward the peak was a white chevron or V stripe with apex toward  the anchor-hornet’s nest symbol.  The chevron was to symbolize community service.  This pennant lasted until early 1969 when it was superceded by the present one.

During its lifetime, several faults became apparent.  The yellow hornet’s nest looked like a yellow lemon.  It also was felt that the pennant did not show any USPS relationship.  It could just as well have been the flag of a hypothetical “Hornet’s Nest Yacht Club.”

With these two thoughts in mind, Gene Neal was requested by then Commander Howard Greene to redesign the pennant.  Several drawings were made and a committee selected our present one to recommend.  It’s interesting to recall that the committee couldn’t agree between two similar flags.  The deciding factor was the opinion of Howard’s father, who liked the present one. 

The new pennant selected has a red field near the fly, followed by blue and white vertical stripes.  Seeing these colors at a distance and flying from the bow immediately lets an approaching vessel know there is a USPS boat coming.   On the red field is applied a yellow crown.  The crown is symbolic of Charlotte “The Queen City.”


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Updated: 9 August 2009