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Bermuda - The Badge

by Antonio Martins, 1 April 2000

The Badge

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The Badge

The badge on the Bermudan flag shows a ship (the Sea Venture) foundering on rocks. The rocky coast is shown to the left (as we see it) of the shield, and the sea is to the right. The ship appears to be hitting the rocks. (The Sea Venture was wrecked on the coast of Bermuda in about 1609).The shield is being held from behind by a large red lion, in such a way that its paws appear at the edges of the shield and its head appears above it like a crest. Officially, it's a lion.
James Dignan, 4 December 1995

The Sea Venture Flat is half a mile offshore (not a visible reef on the coastline, as the coat of arms suggests). This was indeed where theSea Venture foundered. But the representation on the crest may have been considerable artistic license based on historical fallacy, not fact. Some historians claim the vessel was actually the French Bonaventura which smacked into an inshore reef more than two decades before the Sea Venture; Others claim it was a Spanish vessel, even earlier, that is (or should be) depicted. Also, at least 6 of the original Bermuda castaways off the Sea Venture remained in Bermuda when the rest of the party sailed to Virginia 42 weeks later. These 6 were permanent residents, holding the place for Britain until the first party of specifically-for-Bermuda colonists arrived in 1612. These 6 were all alive and obviously flourishing when the 1612 lot arrived.
I don't think the Red Ensign even existed at the time the Sea Venture founded off Bermuda in 1609. Nor did the Union Jack, as we know it today. The Union flag then extant I don't think had the Irish cross incorporated. It was the 1606 version, I think with just the crosses of St. Andrew and St. George. I believe the Sea Venture also flew just the cross of St. George, as a separate flag.
Steven Shea, 12 February 1996

There was an unauthorised defaced blue ensign used in Bermuda before 1910. This was the one that had the '3 ships and a dry dock' badge, replaced by a lion holding a shield depicting a ship wreck.
David Prothero, 3 May 1997

I read that the badge of the Sea Venture was granted in 1915. Then was the flag used between 1910 and 1915 the oldest Blue Ensign?
Jaume Olle', 3 May 1997

It may be just a coincidence, but 1915 is sometimes given as the year when the defaced Red Ensign became the unofficial land flag of Bermuda.
I remain conviced that there have been two versions of the Bermuda Blue Ensign, but I wouldn't argue about the date of use, and/or authorisation of the earlier one.
I have a note about the 'dock' badge, which I saw in an early edition of the Admiralty publication, Flags of All Nations. I don't remember which edition but I think either the 1907,1889, or possibly a 1905 amendment to the 1889. I also failed to notice whether it was to be applied to a Red Ensign or a Blue Ensign, but since there is no record of the Admiralty ever authorising a Bermuda Red Ensign it seems more likely that it was for a Blue one.
The same design was used on postage stamps of Bermuda between 1902 and about 1910.

Under Obsolete Colonial Ensigns, Colours of the Fleet, list; Bermuda (-Blue) pre-1910, and under Blue Ensign -defaced - Dependent Territories Bermuda (new design 1910), with a note about the Bermuda Red Ensign having been the unofficial land flag since about1915.
David Prothero, 7 May 1997

I am in a position to confirm the old colonial badge of which there is a reference in the Bermuda Library. It actually contains the official Coats of Arms for all the British Colonies for 1910. It is printed by His Majesty's Stationary Office in 1910.
Aidan Stones , 18 March 2000

The badge should be a lot larger to follow the current specs.
I've never seen the Governor's Flag so I'm not sure if it just uses the shield, the shield plus motto, or the full achievement, complete with supporters.
Graham Bartram , 4 April 2000

The badge listed as the former colonial badge is actually the present. I am still attempting to get a scan of the old badge for you. It is in fact a sea scape of sorts with a couple of rum barrels on a jetty if I remember correctly.The book of which I speak is called "Flags, Badges and Arms of the British Dominions beyond the Seas" printed by H.M.S.O. in 1910 [hms10]. I am trying to negotiate with our local library for access so that I can scan the whole book. It gives a very good "snapshot" of the British badges from the early 20th century .
Aidan Stones , 19 May 2000

The original badge, introduced in about 1875, was derived from the seal of 1817. It shows three ships at sea in the background and a wet-dock, with gates closed, in the foreground. The current badge replaced it in 1910.
Graham Bartram , 21 May 2000

According to the display catalouge of the flag display in ICV 19 (York, July 2001): "Bermuda uses the red ensign with its badge on land. The badge shows the wreck of the Sea Venture, the ship that provided the early British settlers. The ship was wrecked on a submarine reef, not dashed against cliffs."
Dov Gutterman, 2 August 2001

The motto on the scroll "Quo Fata Ferunt" means "Whither the Fates carry [us]".
Rob Raeside and Nozomi Kariyasu, 15 August 2002