STAFF, a light pole erected in different parts of a ship, whereon 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.