STAFF, a light pole erected in different parts of a ship, wherein to hoist and display the colours.
The principal of these is reared immediately over the stern, to display the ensign; another is fixed on the bowsprit, to extend the jack; three more are erected at the three mast-heads, or formed by their upper ends, to show the flag or pendant of the respective squadron or division to which the ship is appropriated. See ENSIGN, MAST, JACK, and PENDANT.