The Colonial Union Jack 1701

Thank you www.loeser.us for bring us these and many more interesting facts regarding American historical flags! In 1701 another variant of the Union Jack was created for the use of ships commissioned by the governors of the North American colonies. It is unknown how much use this variant saw before the introduction of the Colonial Red Ensign by Queen Anne six years later. This variant was the result of Admiralty complains about the continued use of the King's Colors (Union Flag) by merchant ships commissioned by the Royal Governors in the American colonies. To stop this practice the Naval Council ordered the use of a distinctive Union Jack, defaced with a white escutcheon (shield) in its center, for ships commissioned by the governors.