JAMES FISHER & SONS PLC.

Sources differ over a narrow black band beneath the broad white funnel band. Photographs suggest the white originally lay between hoops, with the lower hoop outlined, leaving its interpretation as a separate band uncertain. Firth Fisher appears without it. Later sources from Brown 1958 show a band wider than a hoop, and the 1973 and 1975 coastal-fleet references explicitly describe broad white over narrow black. Stewart gives buff rather than yellow; some early sources remain unclear about the lower black edge.

The flag’s F may be blue or black, or may have been both. Brown 1951 uses black, later editions blue, then black again, suggesting any blue was dark. Coastal Ships 1967 gives both colours on different pages. Brown 1943 also shows a blue F on the funnel.

The later flag appears based on the funnel-style company logo, confirmed in a photograph of managed vessel Steersman. Forth Fisher and Humber Fisher also confirm the livery. Chartsman, managed for the same Baum company as Steersman, appears both with a plain blue funnel and with lettering added.

Plain blue funnels are documented on Chartsman and Solway Fisher. Solway Fisher appears royal blue in August 2000, and a black-and-white photograph at her 2001 sale confirms the absence of lettering. Rosanoski leaves open whether this was an option or a stage before letters were added.

Coastal Ships & Ferries 1999 gives this as an alternative funnel; no flag is supplied, and Rosanoski assumes the company flag applies.