Hand-crafted, National Flag of the State of Israel, flown from a US merchant vessel, May 1948. Cotton and other fabrics, 45 inches x 86 inches, with attached rope.

This flag was flown in May of 1948 from the shipping-vessel the SS Marine Carp, operated by the American Export Lines. The history behind the flag is related by the consignor: The SS Marine Carp sailed from New York to Palestine (by way of London and Beirut) and arrived at the port of Haifa on May 16th, 1948 - just two days following the Declaration of Independence of the State of Israel. Upon entering Israel's waters, the captain of the Marine Carp realized that due to the unanticipated announcement of Israel's Independence, the ship did not possess the appropriate 'courtesy flag' to fly. (It was customary for a ship (merchant and naval) to fly the flag of the destination-country upon entering the host's territorial waters, signifying compliance to the laws of the visited country). The captain and crew hence hand-sewed a flag which they prepared on board: blue-and-white stripes emblazoned with the blue Star-of-David in its center. It is likely this is the first Israeli flag to be flown from an American maritime vessel following the independence of the State of Israel. (With grateful thanks for assistance provided by the Chief Archivist of The Mariners’ Museum Library, Newport News, Virginia).