Sir, General use of the Union Jack was discontinued at sea in the 1720s (“Flagged up”, letter, Oct 28) and thereafter it was not normally worn except for signalling (flags for this purpose were 14ft x 12ft) and by the admiral of the fleet. At Trafalgar, however, on Nelson’s specific order, it was worn from the foretopmast stay of every ship.

The Union Jack gained the red diagonal St Patrick’s cross only after 1801 and the uneven white border was a feature from the start. The recently sold flag from HMS Spartiate cannot in any way be used as reference because it is wholly inaccurate both in size and geometry, presumably owing to its hurried construction during the 2½ hours between the Victory’s engagement with the enemy and its own.

The White Ensign, referred to by Nelson as “white colours”, was always displayed and measured 40ft x 20 ft. Incidentally, Nelson lost the sight of his right eye at the siege of Calvi in 1794, well before the battle of the Nile.

Anthony Richards
(Member, The Nelson Society)
Bristol

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