A group of museums have launched a bid to save an historic Union Jack which flew at the Battle of Trafalgar from leaving Britain forever.
North East Museums, which runs 12 museums throughout Tyne and Wear and Northumberland, has placed a bid to save the historic flag flown from the Royal Sovereign, the flagship of Vice-Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood.
An export bar was placed on the flag last year, which gives British organisations and individuals priority in raising money and buying lots at auction to make sure they are available for the British public to view.
The Royal Sovereign led Lord Nelson’s fleet into battle against French and Spanish forces in 1805.
And its massive flag is of particular interest to North East Museums because Vice-Admiral Collingwood was born in Newcastle.
The flag still bears marks from the conflict, including burns and splinter damage.
Sailors aboard the ship were likely to be from the North East – and the £450,000 flag was likely to be maintained and possibly even made onboard by a crew nicknamed “Tars of the Tyne”.
Keith Merrin, the group’s director, said he hopes to display it in Newcastle as an “important artefact in British history”.
Discovery Museum in Newcastle has been earmarked as the permanent home of the battle-scarred flag, he added.
PICTURED: The Union Jack which flew from the vessel which led Lord Nelson’s fleet into battle
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GETTYAnd North East mayor Kim McGuinness said: “Admiral Collingwood has a unique place in our maritime and military history – in fact, it is not too much to say he has a place in the hearts of quite a few North East people.
“The statue of Collingwood towering over the mouth of the Tyne is one of our best-loved local landmarks, so it is exciting to think that the union flag that flew from the Royal Sovereign at Trafalgar may soon be coming home to the North East where it belongs.”
Tom Holland, the author and podcast host, described the admiral as second only to Lord Nelson himself as the best-loved figure in British naval history.
Mr Holland said the flag should join several existing monuments to Admiral Collingwood already in Newcastle.
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PICTURED: Vice-Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood, who was born in Newcastle
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The award-winning author added: “What more fitting home for the flag he flew so boldly at Trafalgar, then, than Newcastle – a city which remains so rightly proud of her famous son?”
If the bid placed by the museum group is successful, acquisition of the flag will be paid for by a donation from a charitable foundation.
The Union Jack was originally kept by Charles Antram, the master’s mate aboard the ship, and was passed down through his descendants until 2004.
Monuments to Collingwood are found throughout Newcastle and include a bust at his birthplace, a street named after the naval hero, and even a Wetherspoons.
Four guns from the Royal Sovereign flank his monument in Tynemouth to this day.
Painting depicting the Battle of Trafalgar
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The Battle of Trafalgar is considered to be one of the most defining moments in the Napoleonic wars, and the Royal Sovereign’s flag is one of just three Union Jacks to survive from the battle.
The vessel duelled with the 112-gun Spanish ship Santa Ana in the historic battle – and eventually captured the enemy ship.
Over 4,000 French and Spanish sailors lost their lives in the battle as Napoleon’s forces were routed at sea.
No British ships were lost, but 456 sailors died in the battle – including Lord Nelson – who is regarded by many as history’s finest naval commander.