Heraldry of the Richmond Burgee 

Heraldry of the Richmond Burgee Definition: heraldry - the system by which coats of arms and other armorial bearings are devised, described, and regulated. The batteau and headsman represent our nation’s founding river, the James River, as well as Richmond's history of the Kanawha basin, and our nation's first and almost exclusive use of batteau canal boats. The James River and Kanawha canal boats opened our nation’s westward movement to the Ohio Valley and Mississippi River. Our great Virginian, George Washington, directed the construction of the Kanawha Canal that originates in Richmond and was the Canal Company's first president The headsman was the captain of the three-person crew of a batteau. By their use of the forward sweep, they directed a safe course for the vessel through all water conditions, much like our RSPS mission. The 5 stars represent District 5. The colors white on a blue field and red and white strips represent the colors of our Ensign and US flags. The circle of stars and river bottom represent both our never-ending cycle of celestial and surface boating education and the environment that boaters experience. The red and white chevron stripes present a symbol of forward movement in our Squadron endeavors. The gold edge stripes identify our 50th anniversary.