United Kingdom: lighthouse authorities

Last modified: 2004-10-09 by rob raeside
Keywords: lighthouse authorities | northern lights | commissioner | trinity house |
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• Trinity House Ensign
• Trinity House Jack
• Master of Trinity House
• Deputy Master of Trinity House
• Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses - Ensign
• Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses - Commissioner's flag
• Scottish Lighthouse Board
• Commissioners of Irish Lights - Ensign
• Commissioners of Irish Lights - Commissioner's flag
• Overseas lighthouses

• United Kingdom
• British ensigns
• History of British ensigns

Strictly speaking I believe this is a house flag, to be hoisted at the bow of the vessel, like the jack on a naval vessel, but it's not a jack as it is not a national flag.
Jose C. Alegria, 1 September 2001

Neubecker, in Flaggenbuch (1939-41), also called it a jack (Gösch).
Ivan Sache, 2 September 2001

According to various editions of Flags of the World the Trinity House Jack is strictly speaking the 'flag of Trinity House' and is normally flown at the masthead to indicate that an Elder Brother is on board on official duty. It should be called 'Jack' only when flown as a diminutive at the jackstaff.
David Prothero, 3 September 2001

Both the master and deputy-master of Trinity House do have their own flags separate from the jack. The master's flag in proportions of 1:2 consists of a Cross of St George on a white field with an 'antique' ship in each canton and a full achievement of arms in the centre. The deputy master's flag is in proportions of 2:3 and instead of the full achievement or arms has a roundel with lion. The jack is in proportions of 4:5 without either arms or roundel. There is also a Red Ensign defaced what is in essence the jack, and a burgee (or cornet).
Christopher Southworth, 28 March 2003

It was noted that Trinity House jack was flying from the Royal Yacht Britannia, when the Prince of Wales was aboard (or nearby) during the handover of Hong Kong in 1997.  The question was raised why such a flag should be flying from the Royal Yacht on this occasion or at any other time? In any case, both the Master (in the person of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh) and the deputy master both have their own flags.
Christopher Southworth, 8 April 2003

According to the Deputy Master of Trinity House, the Prince of Wales was entitled to fly the Trinity House Jack when on duty. It had been flown when the ship conveying him on his tour of Canada and Australia, entered and left harbour.
    Admiral Sir Lionel Halsey, who was Comptroller to the Prince of