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Italy - Houseflags of Italian Maritime Companies (S)

Last modified: 2013-07-30 by rob raeside
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Samer & Co. Shipping Ltd

image by Al Fisher, 11 February 1999

Samer & Co. Shipping S.r.l. are noted as mangers for the North Korean company Korea Daesong Trading Corporation in the mid 1990s.
Neale Rosanoski, 11 April 2003


Saremar


new version
image by António Martins, 28 December 2008


old version
image by António Martins, 28 December 2008

This Italian shipping (ferry) company belongs to the state-owned Tirrenia group and serves Sardinia (including the little islands to the north and south of it) and Corsica.  Full name: ‘Sardegna Regionale Marittima S.p.A.’.   Homepage of this Cagliari based firm (in Italian) at <www.saremar.it>.
The firm or subsidiary seems to have been founded in 1988; in all, seven ships are operated .
This page, one of several which show those ships, presents the old and new flag versions.
The old version bears a thin, stylized initial ‘S’ on blue between two white horizontal stripes of which the upper one seems somewhat narrower.
The new version shows the present ‘S’ form: wider and rounder, more resembling the letter in fact, and traversed by a thin blue horizontal line. The white stripes edging the field are narrower. 
Compare with Siremar: Saremar had/has the same design, in reserved colours.
Jan Mertens, 1 December 2008


Sbachi

image by Jarig Bakker, 14 January 2005

Societá Anonima Sbachi, Imbarchi E Transportari, Milano - white flag, red saltire; with in the center white disk, fimbriated green, charged with "S/T" in green.
Source: Brown's Flags and Funnels of British and Foreign Steamship Companies, compiled by F.J.N. Wedge, Glasgow, 1926 [wed26].
Jarig Bakker, 14 January 2005


Seran

image by Jarig Bakker, 5 January 2006

Seran S.p.A., Ravenna - green flag, yellow circle, yellow "S".
Source: Brown's Flags and Funnels Shipping Companies of the World, compiled by J.L. Loughran, Glasgow, 1995.
Jarig Bakker, 5 January 2006


Sicula Americana

image by Jarig Bakker, 24 January 2005

Soc. di Nav. Sicula Americana, Naples - white flag, red shield with yellow cross.
Source: Brown's Flags and Funnels of British and Foreign Steamship Companies, compiled by F.J.N. Wedge, Glasgow, 1926 [wed26].
Jarig Bakker, 24 January 2005


Sicula Oceanica

image by António Martins, 25 March 2000

I located this company house flag at http://notes4.grimaldi.it/group/f_principale.htm (defunct). You can see it here.
Dov Gutterman, 20 August 1999

Sicula Oceanica S.p.A. was formed in 1955 and is part of the Grimaldi Group.
Neale Rosanoski, 11 April 2003


Sidemar di Navigazione

image by Jarig Bakker, 10 December 2005

Sidemar di Navigazione S.p.A., Genoa - brightblue flag, near top hoist red square charged with white "S", right below it white square, blue "m".
Source: Brown's Flags and Funnels Shipping Companies of the World, compiled by J.L. Loughran, Glasgow, 1995.
Jarig Bakker, 10 December 2005


Siremar


new version
image by António Martins, 28 December 2008


old version
image by Jarig Bakker, 19 September 2005

Sicilia Regionale Marittima, S.p.A., Palermo - blue-white-blue horizontal triband, on center snake-like "S".
Source: Brown's Flags and Funnels Shipping Companies of the World, compiled by J.L. Loughran, Glasgow, 1995.
Jarig Bakker, 19 September 2005

Siremar, a ferry operator of Palermo, Sicily (Italy) is a member of the Tirrenia Group.  At <www.siremar.it> they are showing the house flag: horizontally divided blue-white-blue (apparently 1:3:1), the blue initial ‘s’ in the centre.  This is a lower case letter traversed by a horizontal line;
The website informs us that Siremar is the brief form of ‘Sicilia Regionale Marittima’ or ‘Sicily Regional Maritime (Co.).  It also presents the fleet consisting of eight traditional ferries, three fast ships, and ten hydrofoils (The first ship ‘Palladio’ shows an apparently older company logo – did it also appear on a flag?)
In any case the (current) house flag can be seen at shipspotting flying on the bow of ‘Simone Martini’ (copyright Roman Maruhn). Some other Shipspotting photos show the same flag flying on the roof mast but most of these are hardly visible, unfortunately.
Siremar offers various routes for instance one linking Naples to the Aeolian Islands (of which Stromboli is probably the most famous); from Palermo to Ustica; or to Pantellaria and other Pelagian Islands.
Jan Mertens, 14 December 2007

This page shows the house flags, old and new design.
Jan Mertens, 30 November 2008


Sitmar Line

image by Jarig Bakker, 14 July 2004

image by Jarig Bakker, 14 July 2004

From <www.timetableimages.com>: Sitmar Line (Societá Italiana di Servizi Marittimi): blue, a large white letter 'V' (no serifs) on it (second picture on this page, sailing schedule dating from 1965).
Various sources point out a difference between the pre- (i.e. WWII) and post-war company. Anyway it was founded in 1913 by a Russian émigré, Alexander Vlassov (hence the 'V') but flew another flag seen in this 1927 sheet (fourth on this page): i.e. a broad white diagonal from upper hoist to lower fly bearing letters 'SM'(no serifs), left triangle green and right one red with a white five-pointed star in the upper fly. For a (very small) colour picture, see the first print here. The royal Italian crown was extensively used in pre-war (WWII) advertising.
Company history, concentrating on the various ships at <www.simplonpc.co.uk> where we learn, for instance, that P&O acquired Sitmar Cruises in 1988 and that a swan would have replaced the 'V' on all funnels (and consequently on the house flag?). See the 'Fairstar (1964-88)' episode for that.
Jan Mertens, 14 July 2004

The two different flags result from the "Sitmar" name being used by two difference companies. The second flag with its diagonal triband etc. belonged to Società Italiana di Servizi Marittimi which was formed in 1913 and merged into Società Anonima di Navigazione Lloyd Triestino as part of the 1936 Italian Government shipping reorganization. The Vlasov connection under the Sitmar brand was with Società Italiana Trasporti Marittimi S.p.A. which began operations prior to WW2 (probably 1938 which is a date given by Talbot-Booth for the start of the Vlassov group) and traded as Sitmar Line using the Vlasov blue flag with a white "V. Around 1970 it ceased to be a shipowner with the fleet being registered under name companies operated by another group member and presumably acted then as charterer of what used to be its own fleet. Whether the company continued to exist I do not know and possibly it was just the brand name that continued to be used until in 1980 they set up Sitmar Cruises Inc. once again as a shipowner which was then sold to P&O in 1988, at which point there would be a change of flag although there might have been an interim change for one showing the stylized swan "S" logo as is noted by <www.simplonpc.co.uk/Sitma> as appearing on the funnel of Fairstar just prior to the P&O takeover. Normally I would expect a cruise ship to fly a similar flag to its funnel design, even if only in a secondary role, and this would probably occur with the two swan versions plus that of the dolphin logo which the site mentions. After the takeover it continued under this name until changing in 1991 to Princess Cruise Lines Liberia Inc.
Neale Rosanoski, 23 July 2004

image by Ivan Sache, 29 April 2008

Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of "Società Nazionale di Servizi Marittimi" (#339, p. 53), a company based in Roma, as divided green-red by a broad ascending diagonal stripe, and with white "S" and "M" in the green and red part, respectively.
Ivan Sache, 29 April 2008


S.N.A.M

image by Jarig Bakker, 5 January 2006

S.N.A.M. S.p.A. (Soc. Nazionale Azionare Metano - Dotti S.p.A.), Milano - yellow flag, black 6-legged dragon spitting a red flame.
Source: Brown's Flags and Funnels Shipping Companies of the World, compiled by J.L. Loughran, Glasgow, 1995.
Jarig Bakker, 5 January 2006


Società Anonima di Navigazione Adriatica-Venezia

image by Eugene Ipavec, 4 February 2011

T.B. Trizio provides us with a seldom seen house flag (see pdf file): http://www.gelsorosso.it/copertine%20gelso/schede%20volumi/selezione%20adriatica.pdf, namely, the one flown by ‘Società Anonima di Navigazione Adriatica-Venezia’
(1916-1926).

Divided by an ascending diagonal, white (hoist) and red (fly), in the hoist red abbreviation “S.A.” and in the fly the heraldic representation of St Mark’s lion, with the lion not only holding a book but a sword as well, facing the hoist, in yellow.

We learn that the firm was founded in Venice in 1916, taking over a ship from the Lloyd Adriatico; by 1920 three ships were operated. I believe the company, with many others, was merged into what was to become Adriatica di Navigazione.
Jan Mertens, 1 February 2011


Societá Anonyma de Navigazione a Vapore Genovese

image by Jarig Bakker, 18 December 2004

Societá Anonyma de Navigazione a Vapore Genovese, Genoa - white flag; in center red ring, containing a red 5-pointed star on white; in hoist top red "S"; in bottom fly red "G".
Source: Brown's Flags and Funnels of British and Foreign Steamship Companies, compiled by F.J.N. Wedge, Glasgow, 1926 [wed26]
Jarig Bakker, 18 December 2004


Società Commerciale Italiana di Navigazione

image by Ivan Sache, 24 April 2008

Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of "Società Commerciale Italiana di Nav." (#304, p. 51), a company based in Genoa, as white with a  red border and a red  "R" in the middle.
Ivan Sache, 24 April 2008

Surely 'R' for Edilio Raggio, Italian business tycoon (1840-1906) who with two brothers founded the 'Società Italiana di Transporti Marittimi Raggio & Co.' (lasted merely 1882-85, sold out to 'Navigazione Generale Italiana') and went it alone with the company.
Link to photo of 'Carmen' showing the funnel (R' in evidence) at <www.agenziabozzo.it/Carmen.htm> and to photo of 'Jupiter' (is that the house flag we see?) at <www.agenziabozzo.it/Jupiter.htm>.
Jan Mertens, 27 April 2008


Società di Navigazione a Vapore Adriatica

Steam Shipping Co. "Adriatica"

image by Eugene Ipavec, 4 February 2011

Following source authored by P.B. Trizio (p. 4 of pdf file) briefly discusses an Italian shipping company established at Bari, ‘Società di Navigazione a Vapore Adriatica’: http://www.gelsorosso.it/copertine%20gelso/schede%20volumi/selezione%20adriatica.pdf

Founded in 1888 in the hope of rivaling ‘Puglia’, also based at Bari, the firm mainly exported local agricultural produce across the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. It ceased to exist in 1897.

Taken from above page is the house flag of bright blue bearing a large white five-pointed star: attachment. Patriotism may have influenced the choice of colour and design element.
Jan Mertens, 31 January 2011


Società di Navigazione Alto Adriatico

image by Eugene Ipavec, 3 February 2011

Trieste based ‘Società di Navigazione Alto Adriatico’ (“Northern Adriatic Shipping Co.”) is represented on this flag & funnel page (last of second row): http://www.webalice.it/cherini/Naviglio/galleria.htm. Most of what is found on the ‘net concerns a number of local traffic, sometimes cruise, vessels operated by NAA from 1962 on and sold off gradually till the end in 1978 due to the growth of land traffic. These are ‘Ambriabella’, 'Dioneo’ and ‘Edra’ lovingly described on a number of web pages, for instance:
http://www.yachtlife.it/YL-RP/RPnews-2.pdf
http://www.trasporti-fvg.it/italiano/navi1.htm
http://www.myambriabella.com/

The house flag was white with light blue design elements: a border, a five-pointed star in the upper hoist and initials “NAA” in the lower fly.
Jan Mertens
, 28 January 2011


Società Veneziana di Navigazione a Vapore

  images located by Jan Mertens, February 2011

‘Società Veneziana di Navigazione a Vapore’ (i.e. Venetian Steam Shipping Co.) was an Italian shipping company established in Venice – where else – founded in 1898, starting out with two vessels. The Ships List mentions routes to India (Calcutta), China, and Japan. We already know that this firm cooperated with Lloyd Triestino to found ‘San Marco’ (1926) although this partner remained a tough competitor. ‘Alto Italia’ was financially interested. The economic slump proved fatal to SVNV which was wound up in 1937: http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/lines/veneziana.htm, http://www.gravitazero.org/history/caboto/caboto_3.htm. It is nice to find SVNV ships’ histories on the ‘net but alas! many of these tales end with the vessel being sunk during WWI.

SVNV flew a striking house flag uniting the national with the Venetian colours, see p. 59 (image 224) of the 1928 German
Flaggenbuch, part II, FOTW bibliographical ref. [d9e28]. Green field bearing a white diamond enclosing a red-above-white rectangle on which is placed the yellow winged lion of Venice, facing the hoist, resting with one paw against a green promontory with a light-tower on it, at left. White company initials “SVNV” appear in the green field’s corners.

A simpler version (no landscape, only the lion) is shown here: http://www.naviearmatori.net/gallery/viewimage.php?id=104562. The lion appears on a red rectangle containing no further design. I tend to “believe” the version with the light-tower (why invent such a detail, after all) but in fact I do not know which is the right one, supposing that no two variants have existed over time.
Jan Mertens, 15 February 2011


Sorima

image by António Martins-Tuválkin, 28 February 2008

From the 1940 Spanish house flag source (last of second complete row) - 'Società Ricuperi Marittimi' (Maritime Recovery Co.) or “Sorima” of Genoa. Description of the flag: Azure, the Italian national colours (but small and undefaced) in the canton.  “Azure” might be an apt term to describe this blue colour when compared to the other variants of blue on this page many of which are rather dark.
Destined to become a pioneer in salvaging, Sorima was founded in 1926. The first much publicized feat was be the recovery of gold lost when the British ship `Egypt' sunk in the Bay of Biscay (1922), an operation that would take several years. A constant factor was the introduction of new techniques and equipment operated from the `Artiglio', the most famous of Sorima's ships. See following pages (in English, Spanish, and Italian) for details and many relevant photos:   <www.deepimage.co.uk/egypt_onlinearticle.htm>, <www.deepimage.co.uk/egypt_history.htm>, <www.cibernautica.com.ar> and   <www.leganavale.it>.
I understand Sorima stopped business (when exactly I do not know - probably in the nineteen seventies) – when it proved impossible to work below a depth of more than a few hundred metres with the technology of the day.  Nowadays an `International Artiglio Award' honors similar endeavours.
Jan Mertens, 26 and 28 February 2008