Display of naval flags on Her Majesty’s Canadian ships over time
Canadian naval flags have changed over time. This is an illustrated history of those changes, up to May 5, 2013. There have been no changes since.
The three main positions for flags on a Canadian warship are:
The Jack staff (bow), where the Naval Jack is flown while alongside, moored or at anchor.
The Masthead (mainmast), where the Commissioning Pennant is flown.
The Ensign staff (stern), where the Naval Ensign is flown while alongside, moored or at anchor.
Evolution of the Canadian Naval “suit of colours”
The following outlines the various flags flown by Canadian warships to indicate their Canadian nationality since 1910:
- Canadian Naval Ensign
- The Naval Ensign is flown at the masthead while at sea, or at the stern when alongside, moored or at anchor.
- Canadian Naval Jack
- The Naval Jack is flown at the bow when alongside, moored or at anchor.
- Commissioning Pennant
- Flown from the masthead, the Commissioning Pennant is hoisted on the day a warship is commissioned and is displaced only by the personal flag of the Sovereign or senior officer when embarked.
2013
On May 5, 2013, the RCN restored a standard Commonwealth naval practice and adopted a distinctive Canadian Naval Ensign. The National Flag was also adopted as the Naval Jack.
Ensign
Jack
Pennant
Early 1990s to 2013
In the early 1990s, the RN style Commissioning Pennant was phased out in favour of a new Canadian designed Commissioning Pennant (Maple Leaf).
Ensign
Jack
Pennant
1968 until early 1990s
In 1968, a new distinctive Canadian Naval Jack was adopted which incorporated the Maple Leaf flag in its canton.
Ensign
Jack
Pennant
1965-1968
With the adoption of the Maple Leaf Flag as the Canadian National Flag in 1965, the RCN adopted the new National Flag as an Ensign and a Jack.
Ensign
Jack
Pennant
1957-1965
A new Blue Ensign with red maple leaves at the base of the shield was adopted by the Government of Canada, and adopted by the RCN as the Canadian Naval Jack.
Ensign
Jack
Pennant
1922-1957
A new Blue Ensign with a shield of the new coat of Arms was introduced by the Government of Canada, and adopted by the RCN as the Canadian Naval Jack.
Ensign
Jack
Pennant
1911-1922
In December 1911, the RCN adopted the RN White Ensign as the Canadian Naval Ensign and the Canadian Government Blue Ensign as the Canadian Naval Jack.
Ensign
Jack
Pennant
1910-1911
The Naval Service of Canada, later known as the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), flew the Canadian Government Blue Ensign and the Union Jack. The Royal Navy (RN) Commissioning Pennant (cross of St. George) was also adopted.
Ensign
Jack
Pennant
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