ensign staff

American  

noun

1. a staff at the stern of a vessel at which the ensign is flown.

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Etymology

Origin of ensign staff

First recorded in 1700–10

Example Sentences

As soon as the Resolution saw us preparing to come to, she fired her guns, and hoisted an English jack at the ensign staff, the signal at sea to lead a-head.

From A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels, Volume 17 Arranged in Systematic Order: Forming a Complete History of the Origin and Progress of Navigation, Discovery, and Commerce, by Sea and Land, from the Earliest Ages to the Present Time by Kerr, Robert

A pennant on the mizen peak or ensign staff if any ship bear away from the enemy to stop a leak.

From Fighting Instructions, 1530-1816 Publications Of The Navy Records Society Vol. XXIX. by Corbett, Julian S. (Julian Stafford)

Their ensign staff is very long and high, being bent at top like a bow; but the colours, hardly a yard in breadth, hang down from the top like a long pendant.

From A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels — Volume 08 by Kerr, Robert

Almost the last to be seen of her was the mercantile flag of Japan, still floating proudly from the ensign staff.

From Rounding up the Raider A Naval Story of the Great War by Westerman, Percy F. (Percy Francis)

She flew no flag at her masthead, it is true; but Mildmay could now see that she had hoisted a blue ensign on her ensign staff.

From With Airship and Submarine A Tale of Adventure by Hodgson, Edward S.