Before Napoleontic times the boatmen, like most professions, had their
guilds. And like most guilds, these had acquired a monopolies in their
trade. It's therefore no wonder that those guilds, like all others, were
abolished when the revolution came. However, new organisations soon began
to fill the gap the guilds had left behind.
For one thing, a large number of "compacts" was started; mutual insurance
companies, which were dearly needed as the risks at sea was large, and
insurance houses were unwilling to insure boatmen, as institutions of charity
we unwilling to support a seaman's widow and children. The seafaring members
were indicated as "vlagleden" (flag members), but I'm not yet sure
whether they did indeed fly a flag to signal their membership.
For another, as the boatmen still gathered in the wintertime, when they
were all at home, they created "Zeemanscolleges" as a way to see after
the boatman's interest. Also, they were a means of education and support,
and most organized compacts as well. Though called Seaman's college, all
but one were aimed exclusively at captains, who were referd to as the "effectieve
leden", member in effect. Besides these, there were honorary members, non-seamen
who were members only in name. They were donors, often the local notabilities,
often those who's lifelyhood was connected with the marine, but also agents
or other relations in foreign parts.
Most, if not all, of these Zeemanscolleges had a flag for their organisation,
and separate, flags for each captain. Apparently the
regulations of the Zeemanscolleges gave specifications for the dimensions
and colours of these flags, however each effective member had to bear the
the costs for the manufacture of his personal flag, which bore his memberships
number.
During their travels the members flew these flags from their ships,
which allowed recognition at some distance. Even if communication wasn't
always possible, home-coming ships would still often be able to report
the position of other members' ships to family and shipping companies,
be it with some delay.
Even after retirement a member, now honorary, would keep his flag and
number, and the flag often covered the coffin when the captain went to
his grave. This sad occasion would also see flag of the college flown at
half-staff from the t as well. One year later the number could be reused
for a new member, but a flag was never reused; the new member would have
to pay for the manufacure of a new flag.
The ascent of the Zeemanscolleges lasted until approximately 1865. Subsequently,
towards the end of the nineteenth century, mechanisation and the accompanying
economy of scales severly reduced the number of captain-owners, and hence
the membership of especially the small town college dwindled and all but
the largest disappeared. Most of the compacts apparently either collapsed
with the dwindling number of members or merged into insurance companies,
though I believe at least one still exists today on one of the Frisian
isles. As neither the rates nor the compensation has risen over the years,
however, its main purpose is now the gathering of its members during meetings.
Sources:
Veenkoloniale Zeevaart - Koldam, Van der Veen, Wilkens; Schuur Veendam
- Veendam, 1979. Includes a reproduction of two pages of flags as recorded
by Leen Smit in December 1935.
Flaggen aller seefahrenden Nationen - J.W Norie, J.S. Hobbs, 1971
[noh71].
Nederlands vlaggenboek - Kl. Sierksma, 1962 [sie62].
A postcard of a painting titled 'De schoenerbrik "Willem" onder
kapitein J.H. de Weerd varende in de Golf Van Napels, ca. 1855.' (The
brigantine 'Willem' under captain J.H. de Weerd, sailing in the Gulf of
Naples, ca. 1855.)
"Scheepskapitein Thomas Lange".
"Gemeente
vlag uitleg" from Delfzijl municipality.
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 6 Dec 2001
De Blaauwe Vlag, Amsterdam
"De Blaauwe Vlag" (The Blue Flag), established 14 march 1795 in Amsterdam.
This was apparently the first Zeemanscollege, but it died a quiet death
in the troubles of the Napoleontic era.
Flag: I have no information on its flag, other than the name of the
college.
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 6 Dec 2001
Tot nut der Zeevaart, Rotterdam
Maatschappij "Tot nut der Zeevaart" (Society for the Benefit of the Marine),
Rotterdam. I do not know exactly when this was established, but I expect
this was fairly early. For one thing, in 1848 it is pictured in Norie &
Hobbs. For another, like the other early colleges it is named in the way
customary for societies at that time: "Society for the Benefit of Whatever
Purpose". The later ones appear to mostly have followed the example of
Dordrecht, and call themselves "College", and they no longer state
a specific purpose. Also, had this been established much later than
Veendam, it might not have picked the exact same name. Leen Smit pictures
number 105. It was still in existence by 1859, but by 1979 it had disappeared
Flag: Green over white over green, with on the white stripe in black
an "R" followed by the number. Leen Smit shows a flag with number, and
with the stripes in proportion 1:1:1. OTOH, noh71 shows just the R, and
has the ratio 1:2:1. I don't know whether that means that the flag
of the college itself had a different ratio, or whether either of the sources
is in error.
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 6 Dec 2001
l'Union, Stadskanaal
"l'Union" (French for "The Union"), established 1859 in Stadskanaal, which
at that time was still a young peat colony. By
1979 it had diappeared.
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 6 Dec 2001
Eendracht maakt macht, Nieuwe Pekela
"Eendracht maakt macht." (Union is Strenght). As towards the end of the
nineteenth century the tide was against the Zeemanscolleges, Collegie "Voorzorg"
took the initiative for the merger of a number of colleges into this single
new college. However, the new college was unable to turn the tide, and
by 1979 this too had disappeared.
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 6 Dec 2001
Stuurmansharmonie, Veendam and Wildervank
Stuurliedencollege "Stuurmansharmonie" (Steersman's college "Steersman's
harmony"), in Veendam and Wildervank. This is the only college not aimed
at captains, though the influenced of the captains colleges could be recognized
in the name, and in its president, who also was reader at the Veendam School
of Navigation. This suggests it's years were limited to the existence of
that School, but all I know is that by 1979 this too had disappeared.
Flag: I don't know whether they had one. The college may have had one,
but even if the members had a flag they would might not have been able
to fly them aboard ship.
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 6 Dec 2001
