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Ship's Distinguishing Flags, China

Introduction
Arrival flags

See also:

China: Index of Pages

Introduction

The China Coaster’s Tide Book And Nautical Pocket Manual was printed at the North-China Daily News and Herald, Ltd., Shanghai, annually from no later than 1899 (for the 1900 edition) to 1940 (for the 1941 edition). This page reproduces some of the flags illustrated in the Manual, mostly in what is believed to be the 1940 edition (published in 1939).
https://chinarhyming.com/2010/09/13/house-flags-of-shanghai-shipping-lines/

[The text below is quoted from the Manual, with the modern names of the ports in brackets.]

Miles Li, 27 September 2025

Arrival flags

Used on arrival by the Traders at the ports of Taku [Dagukou] (outside Bar), Chefoo [Yantai], Shanghai, Pagoda Anchorage [Fuzhou], Amoy [Xiamen], Swatow [Shantou], and Canton [Guangzhou].

They consist of one or two Numeral Pennants hoisted in conjunction with the House Flag or with Flag W (Commercial Code) as provided for hereunder. When W has to be used, it should be hoisted above the Pennants. The numeral Pennants are:-

image by Miles Li, 27 September 2025

This flag to be used by general traders [i.e. those not belonging to a shipping line] [International Code of Signals W].

Mail Pennants

The Mail Pennant should be hoisted by vessels entering a Port when mail is on board. Commanding Officers should ascertain from the Mail Officer at the port of embarkation whether foreign mail has been shipped.

European and American

image by Miles Li, 27 September 2025

Chinese (alternative)

image by Miles Li, 27 September 2025

This flag is an alternative to the green postal pennant.