BALTIC SHIPPING CO.

The early pennant is blue with a white hammer and sickle. FOTW’s amended account dates adoption to 30 July 1923 and use to 1926, replacing an earlier suggestion that it lasted into the 1990s. Rosanoski cites authorisation by a decree of 29 August 1924 and abolition on 15 January 1926, emphasising that it belonged to the Maritime Shipping Authority.

A yellow-emblem depiction appears in Brown and is labelled incorrect by FOTW. Jarig Bakker also notes it in [wed26]. James Dignan comments that the hammer resembles a claw hammer, or possibly a cross-pein Warrington hammer, rather than the usual Soviet sledgehammer.

Later liveries use the Russian ensign as a house flag. Funnel lettering and band colours vary, and some ships have panels instead of bands. Konstantin Simonov appears to carry letters only on the blue band. B729’s bands are described for Australian visitors; Mitchell gives B68’s letters as white/gold.