RULE BRITANNIA

RULE BRITANNIA

UNITED KINGDOM NAVAL ENSIGNS & FLAGS

1801-1864

Notes

In 1801 Ireland became an integral part of the United Kingdom and the Union Flag was altered to include the diagonal Cross of St. Patrick, Ireland's patron saint. This modification was naturally extended to the ensigns of the Royal Navy, producing the White, Red, and Blue Ensigns as we know them today.

Up to 1864, the squadron system was continued, necessitating three distinct sets of naval flags. By the mid-nineteenth century, however, this system no longer corresponded to the organization or rank structure of the RN. In 1864, therefore, an Order in Council abolished squadron ensigns. The Order reserved the White Ensign and its associated flags and pennants for the Navy, with the Union Flag as the naval jack and rank flag for Admirals of the Fleet. The Red Ensign became the British merchant ensign, while the Blue Ensign became the naval reserve and government ensign. The illustrations below show the squadron ensigns, flags and pennants as they were on the eve of the Order.

The ensign of the War Department Fleet, based on the Red Ensign, was not altered in 1864 even though the Order specified a Blue Ensign defaced with the appropriate badge for non-naval government vessels. This ensign continued in use until 1890, when a defaced Blue Ensign finally replaced it.

Credits: Several UK members of the FOTW Mailing List provided the information and images on which these illustrations are based, including Graham Bentram and David Prothero. Timothy Wilson's excellent book, Flags at Sea, was also extremely helpful. Among other things, it reprints the complete text of the 1864 Order in Council.