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Zeemanscolleges (The Netherlands)

Zeemanscolleges: introduction
De Blaauwe Vlag, Amsterdam
Tot nut der Zeevaart, Rotterdam
l'Union, Stadskanaal
Eendracht maakt macht, Nieuwe Pekela
Stuurmansharmonie, Veendam and Wildervank

Other Zeemanscolleges:

See also:

Zeemanscolleges: introduction

Before Napoleontic times the boatmen, like most professions, had their guilds. And like most guilds, these had acquired a monopolies in their trade. It's therefore no wonder that those guilds, like all others, were abolished when the revolution came. However, new organisations soon began to fill the gap the guilds had left behind.
For one thing, a large number of "compacts" was started; mutual insurance companies, which were dearly needed as the risks at sea was large, and insurance houses were unwilling to insure boatmen, as institutions of charity we unwilling to support a seaman's widow and children. The seafaring members were indicated as "vlagleden" (flag members), but I'm not yet sure
whether they did indeed fly a flag to signal their membership.

For another, as the boatmen still gathered in the wintertime, when they were all at home, they created "Zeemanscolleges" as a way to see after the boatman's interest. Also, they were a means of education and support, and most organized compacts as well. Though called Seaman's college, all but one were aimed exclusively at captains, who were referd to as the "effectieve leden", member in effect. Besides these, there were honorary members, non-seamen who were members only in name. They were donors, often the local notabilities, often those who's lifelyhood was connected with the marine, but also agents or other relations in foreign parts.

Most, if not all, of these Zeemanscolleges had a flag for their organisation, and separate, flags for each captain. Apparently the
regulations of the Zeemanscolleges gave specifications for the dimensions and colours of these flags, however each effective member had to bear the the costs for the manufacture of his personal flag, which bore his memberships number.
During their travels the members flew these flags from their ships, which allowed recognition at some distance. Even if communication wasn't always possible, home-coming ships would still often be able to report the position of other members' ships to family and shipping companies, be it with some delay.
Even after retirement a m