The Valcour Sailing Club Burgee
The Valcour Sailing Club Burgee has its origins in the first
US Navy Jack. It was probably flown during the Battle of
Valcour and was adopted by the Valcour Sailing Club as its
Burgee.
|
| First US Navy Jack |
A Brief History of the US Navy Jack
By CDR Michel T. Poirier
In the fall of 1775, as the first ships of the Continental
Navy readied in the Delaware River, Commodore Esek Hopins
issued a set of fleet signals. Among these signals was an
instruction directing his vessels to fly a striped Jack and
Ensign at their proper places. The custom of the jack-type
flag had originated with the Royal Navy in the 15th
Century or earlier; such was the likely source of Hopkins'
inspiration. This first US Navy Jack has traditionally
been shown as consisting of thirteen horizontal alternating
red and white stripes with a superimposed rattlesnake and the
motto "Don't Tread on Me." The rattlesnake had long been a
symbol of resistance to British repressive acts in Colonial
America; its display on the new jack of the fledging
Continental Navy fit naturally with the fervor of the times
...
|
| Commodore Hopkins |
In 1975, the Secretary of the Navy directed that the First
Navy Jack be flown in lieu of the Union Jack during the United
States Bicentenial Year as a colorful and historic reminder of
the nation's and the Navy's origin. In 1980, the Secretary of
the Navy specified that the ship with the longest total period
of active service display the First Navy Jack until
decommissioned or transferred to inactive service, at which
time the flag shall be passed to the next ship in line with
appropriate honors. Since 1998, the USS Kitty Hawk
(CV-63) has proudly flown the First Navy Jack.
