I am building the WW2 monitor HMS Roberts for the "BIg Guns" Campaign, The vessel is depicted at anchor. A vessel at anchor these days normally has an anchor ball hoisted, would an RN warship have hoisted one during WW2. I have looked at a lot of pictures and I am not sure.

Some appear to have had anchor balls, but these could be single flag hoists on the way up. Others not, but I cannot be sure if the are anchored or moored on bouys.

Today warships follow the internations rules for lights & shapes, but did they (apart from blackout of course) do so during wartime??

Silly question i know, but I would like to get it right.

many thanks

Si

Hi Simon

I have browsed a few books trying to figure out your cry for help...
From the images on Big Gun Monitors, there is little help! I have noticed that ships with lines to mooring buoys have no special flag hoisted.
From the images on Atlantic Escorts, there are a few with the anchor ball hoisted (same side as anchor) during wartime, but there's others without... so I think that it may be used as CO discretion or to being in active area, not willing to give the enemy that extra info - from a long distance.

Using modern rules, as you state, it would have to had the signal hoisted.

I guess, that you may use the anchor ball hoisted... you are now it's CO
and it will add a little more interest to a already interesting subject

My 2c

Cheers,
Rui

Thanks Rui, very much appreciate your assistance.

Your research pretty much agrees with what I have found, a definite maybe

I think I will go with an anchor ball, as you say adds more interest.

Thabks agian.

Si

An interesting question, indeed. As you know, hoisting two black balls signifies "not under command" and photos of the USS Yorktown right after the dive bombing attack at Midway show her displaying this unique nautical signal in a combat situation.

--Karl

Hi Karl

Yes, I have noticed that detail... this means two things:
- CV-5 was integrated in a TF
- Other ships should be aware of the difficulties/limitations in steering the carrier, so, the signal man just did his job, helping other ships to stay safe

:)
Rui

EDIT: details... details... the Devil is in the details!
It's these kind of "things" that make a model/diorama tell a story!!

Pix of Mo anchored in Tokyo Bay for the surrender ceremony show what appear to be the black ball on her foremast.

Don't know if this helps?

Frank