8th Nov, 2016 12:00

Maritime and Scientific Models, Instruments & Art ('Torch')

 
  Lot 115
 

115

[M] A RARE 'JOLLY ROGER' FLOWN BY H.M. SUBMARINE...

A RARE 'JOLLY ROGER' FLOWN BY H.M. SUBMARINE TANTALUS, 1943-44
the black bunting field with stitched white skull and crossbones and several devices in different materials comprising crossed cannon, eight stars, two broad and two narrow bars, attached to canvas sleeve with lanyard -- 37 x 56in. (94 x 142cm.); together with a copy log of Tantalus's wartime career detailing all kills etc., with annotations by the Captain
(2)

Provenance: Able Seaman Charles Deleay (born 1922, served in Tantalus 29th April 1943 to 25th March 1945); His son; Present owner via auction, 2008.

This Jolly Roger is something of a rarity as it is one of the very rare flags actually flown by the submarines after each successful action. It was tradition to fly a Jolly Roger only after a successful mission, symbols were added to the flag denoting the method used to sink a vessel with a symbol for each ship sunk. The horizontal bars represent ships sunk by torpedo and the stars surrounding the crossed cannons represent ships sunk by the submarine's 4in. deck gun --Tantalus sank four ships with torpedoes and eight vessels by gun fire. This flag shows its evolution by the different fabrics used for each star or bar with both cotton and linen being used. Use has caused some fraying around the crude sailors' stitching but is commensurate with its pedigree.
A later version from Tantalus was shown on the Antiques Roadshow, and recorded two additional undercover missions. It was almost certainly made on the journey home as all the symbols and materials are the same and because this example was becoming worn out.

Sold for £11,160
Estimated at £2,000 - £3,000

(inc. buyer's premium of 24%)


 
A RARE 'JOLLY ROGER' FLOWN BY H.M. SUBMARINE TANTALUS, 1943-44
the black bunting field with stitched white skull and crossbones and several devices in different materials comprising crossed cannon, eight stars, two broad and two narrow bars, attached to canvas sleeve with lanyard -- 37 x 56in. (94 x 142cm.); together with a copy log of Tantalus's wartime career detailing all kills etc., with annotations by the Captain
(2)

Provenance: Able Seaman Charles Deleay (born 1922, served in Tantalus 29th April 1943 to 25th March 1945); His son; Present owner via auction, 2008.

This Jolly Roger is something of a rarity as it is one of the very rare flags actually flown by the submarines after each successful action. It was tradition to fly a Jolly Roger only after a successful mission, symbols were added to the flag denoting the method used to sink a vessel with a symbol for each ship sunk. The horizontal bars represent ships sunk by torpedo and the stars surrounding the crossed cannons represent ships sunk by the submarine's 4in. deck gun --Tantalus sank four ships with torpedoes and eight vessels by gun fire. This flag shows its evolution by the different fabrics used for each star or bar with both cotton and linen being used. Use has caused some fraying around the crude sailors' stitching but is commensurate with its pedigree.
A later version from Tantalus was shown on the Antiques Roadshow, and recorded two additional undercover missions. It was almost certainly made on the journey home as all the symbols and materials are the same and because this example was becoming worn out.
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