Casgliadau Arlein

Ensign flag flown on the TERRA NOVA duing the expedition to Antarctica.

Ensign flag consists of the flag of St George (red cross on white ground) with the Union Jack flag fitted into the upper left quarter. Flag is made from white, red and blue tabby woven wool. Each of the three white quarters are made from two pieces of white wool which are seamed together horizontally. All stitches consist of 2 rows of machine stitches (c. 0.5cm apart) using white thread (and blue thread on the Union Jack). The diagonal stripes of the Union Jack are cut on the bias, while all other fabrics are cut at right angles. There are selvages along upper and lower edge of the flag; however these are finished with a narrow 0.5cm machine-stitched turnback. Right side edge is finished with a 1.8cm wide turn-back which is held with 2 rows of machine stitches. Wooden toggle at upper left corner and bast fibre braided rope pulled through 2.5cm wide tabby woven cotton sleeve along left side edge. Rope protrudes by 184cm from lower left corner; rope is hand-stitched to sleeve at top and bottom. Upper and lower left corner are reinforced by a small rectangular piece of tabby woven white cotton fabric (same as sleeve) which is machine stitched to the front of the flag. Upper and lower right corners are mended with patches of white tabby woven wool fabric. Upper patch is rectangular and has a selvage on the side edge; upper edge has a turnback on the front of the flag which is held with 2 rows of hand-stitched running stitches using white thread. Lower patch is larger and more square in shape; its side and lower edges are finished with machine stitches using black thread. Patches are of lighter colour than the white of the original flag; both patches are stitched on with hand-stitched running stitches using white thread.