North East Museums has secured a rare Union flag flown at the Battle of Trafalgar, with strong local connections, for permanent display at Newcastle's Discovery Museum. The organisation, which manages museums across the region, had been fundraising to prevent the flag from being exported overseas. The flag was flown from HMS Royal Sovereign, the flagship of Newcastle-born Vice-Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood, during the battle on October 21, 1805.
Local significance and rare survival
The flag holds deep local significance as many of the crew on HMS Royal Sovereign were recruited by Collingwood from the local maritime community, earning them the nickname 'Tars of the Tyne'. It is possible the sailors themselves made the flag, which is hand-stitched in wool bunting with a weighted edge. Tyne and Wear is believed to have supplied more men than anywhere else for the Royal Navy at that time, with over 500 Geordie sailors taking part in the battle off the coast of Spain.
Surviving Union flags from the battle are extremely rare, with this being the most significant of just three known examples. The flag shows evidence of battle scars, including gunpowder stains and splinter tears, but remains in good condition. It measures 1,525 by 2,745mm.
Journey to preservation
After the battle, the flag was kept by a teenage 'master's mate' from the ship and passed down through his family until his death in 1831, later sold to a private collection. It was due to be taken out of the country until an export ban was imposed by the Secretary of State, following a recommendation from the reviewing committee on the export of works of art and objects of cultural interest.
North East Museums has raised more than two-thirds of its £700,000 target, including a £400,000 grant from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, with additional support from the Sir James Knott Trust, Community Foundation North East, XTX Markets, the Drapers' Charitable Fund, and other donors. The flag had a fixed purchase price of £450,000, with estimated costs for transport, storage, conservation, and the new display at £250,000.
Fundraising and public appeal
To complete the fundraising, North East Museums has launched a crowdfunder aiming to raise a further £15,000. Keith Merrin, director of North East Museums, said: “It is wonderful to have acquired this rare and historically significant flag to ensure it remains in the UK and specifically in North East England which was home to Vice-Admiral Collingwood and many of his crew. Collingwood is a popular figure in the North East but perhaps isn't given the national hero status that he and his crew deserve.”
Susan Collingwood-Cameron, a direct descendant of Collingwood, said: “As a great-great-great niece of Vice-Admiral Lord Collingwood, I am excited to hear that the Union Flag flown from his flagship, H.M.S. Royal Sovereign, at Trafalgar is coming to Newcastle. This flag is said to have been made by sailors on board the ship, many of whom came from Tyneside and were affectionately referred to by him as his 'Tars of the Tyne'. It will be a tribute to them, and the important role they played, in one of our greatest moments in history.”
Support from officials
Coun Rob Austin from Newcastle City Council called the flag a "powerful reminder" of the North East's role in "one of Britain’s most significant naval victories", adding: “I am delighted that North East Museums has been able to bring this extraordinary piece of Newcastle’s heritage home.” Simon Thurley, chairman of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, described the flag as "an extraordinary survivor of one of the most significant moments in UK naval history", and said the fund is "delighted to support North East Museums in its efforts to secure this remarkable flag" for permanent public display.
The crowdfunder launches at noon on August 6, with every penny up to £7,500 match-funded by the Sir James Knott Trust.
