White Ensign Collection (#2)

Ensigns and National Merchant Flags. 1. Union Jack 2. White Ensign (Royal Navy) 3. Blue Ensign (Royal Navy Reserve) 4. Red Ensign (Mercantile Marine) 5. Royal Mail 6. St

HMS Rodney, Royal Navy 1st class battleship, c1890-c1893. Artist: William Frederick Mitchell
HMS Rodney, Royal Navy 1st class battleship, c1890-c1893. A battleship of the Admiral class, HMS Rodney entered service in 1888 with the Home Fleet

HMS Repulse recommissioned for the Prince of Wales tour. HMS Repulse has been selected to convey the Prince of Wales to South America and South Africa and was recommissioned at Portsmouth

View from the stern of a British warship, c1940 (1943)
It is upon the Navy, under the good providence of God, that the wealth, safety and strength of the Kingdom do chiefly depend, c1940 (1943)

HMS Nymphe, Royal Navy sloop, c1890-c1893. HMS Nymphe was a screw sloop launched in 1888. She was renamed three times, as HMS Wildfire (1906)

HMS Magicienne, Royal Navy 2nd class cruiser, c1890-c1893. A Marathon class cruiser, HMS Magicienne was built in 1888 and sold in 1905

HMS Mohawk, Royal Navy 3rd class cruiser, c1890-c1893. Launched in 1886, HMS Mohawk was an Archer class torpedo cruiser. She was sold for scrap in 1905

HMS Calliope, Royal Navy 3rd class cruiser, c1890-c1893. A Calypso class cruiser, HMS Calliope entered service in 1887. In 1889 she survived an encounter with a tropical cyclone at Apia, Samoa

HMS Hero, Royal Navy 2nd class battleship, c1890-c1893. Artist: William Frederick Mitchell
HMS Hero, Royal Navy 2nd class battleship, c1890-c1893. The second and final battleship of the Conqueror class, HMS Hero entered service in 1888

HMS Colossus, Royal Navy 2nd class battleship, c1890-c1893. Artist: William Frederick Mitchell
HMS Colossus, Royal Navy 2nd class battleship, c1890-c1893. The lead ship of her class, HMS Colossus entered service in 1886

HMS Latona, Royal Navy 2nd class cruiser, c1890-c1893. Artist: William Frederick Mitchell
HMS Latona, Royal Navy 2nd class cruiser, c1890-c1893. An Apollo class cruiser launched in 1890, HMS Latona was converted to a minelayer in 1907. She was sold in 1920

HMS Undaunted, Royal Navy 1st class cruiser, c1890-c1893. Artist: William Frederick Mitchell
HMS Undaunted, Royal Navy 1st class cruiser, c1890-c1893. A cruiser of the Orlando class, HMS Undaunted was launched in 1886. She was sold for scrapping in 1907

HMS Bramble, Royal Navy 1st class gunboat, c1890-c1893. Artist: William Frederick Mitchell
HMS Bramble, Royal Navy 1st class gunboat, c1890-c1893. HMS Bramble was launched in 1886. She was renamed HMS Cockatrice in 1896 and was sold in 1906

HMS Blenheim, Royal Navy 1st class cruiser, 1892. Artist: William Frederick Mitchell
HMS Blenheim, Royal Navy 1st class cruiser, 1892. HMS Blenheim was launched in 1890. She served with the Channel Fleet until 1908 when she was reclassified as a depot ship with the Mediterranean

HMS Speedwell, Royal Navy torpedo gunboat, 1892. Artist: William Frederick Mitchell
HMS Speedwell, Royal Navy torpedo gunboat, 1892. HMS Speedwell was launched in 1889. She was converted to a minesweeper in 1909 and sold in 1920

HMS Thrush, British 1st class gunboat, c1890-c1893. Artist: William Frederick Mitchell
HMS Thrush, British 1st class gunboat, c1890-c1893. Launched in 1889, HMS Thrush saw action in the 40 minute Anglo-Zanzibar War in 1896. She was also on active service during the Boer War

The battleship HMS Resolution, Portsmouth, Hampshire, 1896. Artist: Gregory & Co
The battleship HMS Resolution, Portsmouth, Hampshire, 1896. Just astern is her sister ship Royal Sovereign. The battleships of the Royal Sovereign class were the largest warships in the world when

White Ensign, 1838. From A Display of the Naval Flags of All Nations. Collected from the Best Authorities. [Fisher, Son, & Co. London, 1838]

Eyes of the Fleet, 1937. A reconaissance aircraft flying above a British warship. Cigarette card from The Navy series, produced by Senior Service Cigarettes, 1937

Allied soldiers and sailors in Vladivostok, Russia, September 1918. Several foreign powers sent troops to fight on the White (anti-Bolshevik) side in the Russian Civil War

Regatta at Molesey, 1874. Artist: Alfred Sisley
Regatta at Molesey, 1874. From the collection of the Musee d Orsay, Paris, France

Daily Life - Swan-upping on the Thames from Brentford Ait - Third week in July - Swan Upping is an annual ceremonial and practical activity in England in which mute swans on the River Thames are

Royal Navy submarine, HMS Parthian ( N75 ), was the lead boat of the six Royal Navy Parthian-class submarines. Nicknamed Peanut and launched at Chatham. 22 June 1929

White Ensign flags on office building, Admiralty Arch, City of Westminster, London, England, april

HMS Victory, Portsmouth, 1890s
HMS Victory. Photochrom (photographic lithograph) of the Royal Navys HMS Victory, moored at Portsmouth, UK, in the 1890s, with the White Ensign flying from its stern

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The White Ensign, a symbol of British naval power and pride, has witnessed countless historic moments throughout its storied existence. From the majestic Paddle Steamer Leith in 1837 to the HMS Conqueror submarine's triumphant return to Faslane Holy Loch after sinking an Argentine battleship, this ensign has been present at pivotal events that shaped maritime history. One can almost feel the serenity as they gaze upon William Christian Symons' masterpiece, "Lowering the Ensign at Sunset" from c1890-c1893. The golden hues of dusk enveloping the scene evoke a sense of tranquility amidst the chaos of war. During Trooping the Colour celebrations in London, England, White Ensigns adorned Admiralty Arch with regal elegance. These vibrant flags marked not only Queen Elizabeth's official birthday but also her remarkable 70-year Jubilee - a testament to her unwavering dedication and service. In World War II's darkest days, even diminutive vessels like British X-Craft midget submarines proudly flew their own White Ensigns. These brave crafts played an integral role in covert operations against enemy forces. The mighty HMS Rodney stands tall in William Frederick Mitchell's artwork from c1890-c1893. This Royal Navy battleship exemplifies strength and dominance on the high seas - qualities embodied by every ship flying under the White Ensign. Yet not all moments were filled with triumph; tragedy struck aboard HMS Royal Sovereign when an explosion rocked its decks. This poignant color lithograph captures both destruction and resilience amid adversity. Amidst conflicts abroad, Lord Charles Beresford led his Naval Brigade during The Nile Expedition of 1884-1885. A photogravure immortalizes their heroic efforts as they rescued Sir Charles Wilson - a testament to bravery under Britain's revered flag. Hoisting the White Ensign atop a British warship is more than just raising a flag.