Admiralty Order in Council No. 3

16 February 1903.

M.

Whereas by a Royal Proclamation made on the first January 1801, the Admiralty is granted certain powers to authorise and regulate the use of National Colours, including Ensigns, Flags, Jacks, and Pendants on Ships of Your Majesty's Navy, as well as on Ships of the Mercantile Marine.

And whereas the powers conferred upon the Admiralty by the said Proclamation are limited to jurisdiction over Flags and Colours flown afloat.

And whereas by an Order in Council of Her late Majesty, bearing date the ninth July 1864, Regulations were established for the use of certain Flags in the Royal Naval Service, it being therein directed, among other provisions, that the White Flag with a Red St. George's Cross is to be borne by Admirals, Vice-Admirals, and Rear-Admirals on their respective masts ; and that Commodores of the first class shall carry a White Broad Pendant with the Red Cross at the main top-gallant masthead. Commodores of the second class a similar Broad Pendant at the fore top-gallant masthead, and Senior Officers, when two or more vessels are present, the Broad Pendant at the mizen top-gallant masthead.

And whereas there are certain appointments for the command of Naval Establishments on shore which are held by officers of Your Majesty's Navy, who are entitled to fly a Flag, Broad Pendant or Pendant, as the case may be, and who, by reason of the limitation of the powers conferred upon us by the before-mentioned Proclamation and Order in Council, are compelled to fly such Flag, Broad Pendant or Pendant, in a vessel afloat, which may not, in other respects, be required for the carrying on of Your Majesty's Naval Service.

We therefore beg leave to recommend that Your Majesty maybe graciously pleased by Your Order in Council to extend the powers already possessed by us for the regulation of the use of Flags afloat, to Flags flown ashore within the limits of any of Your Majesty's Naval Establishments and at any place on shore where Naval jurisdiction may for the time being prevail, and that we may be empowered, in such cases as may seem to us desirable, to authorise any officer of Your Majesty's Navy who is entitled to fly a Flag, Broad Pendant or Pendant afloat, to fly the same Flag, Broad Pendant or Pendant ashore at any Naval Establishment or other place on shore where Naval jurisdiction may for the time being prevail where he may be directed by us so to do.

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