The house flag of Lamport & Holt Line Ltd, Liverpool. A flag striped horizontally in red, white and red, with the initials 'L + H' in black on the central white band. This design was introduced in 1861. The flag is made of a wool and synthetic fibre bunting. It has a cotton hoist and is machine sewn. A rope and toggle is attached.

The company was founded in 1845 when William James Lamport and George Holt, (originally ship brokers, charterers and traders in Liverpool), formed a partnership as shipowners. The company initially traded to India, South Africa, and the West Coast of South America in particular the River Plate. After the company acquired steam vessels, a tradition grew up of calling its ships after famous scientists, artists and writers. They carried mail for the British and Belgian governments and operated a coastal passenger service for the Brazilian Government, they also carried frozen meat and coffee. The firm became a public company in 1911. It went bankrupt in 1928-29 when the shipping empire of the company chairman Lord Kylsant collapsed. It was relaunched as the Lamport & Holt Line Ltd in 1934 following the disposal of many of its vessels. After many losses due to enemy action during the Second World War, the company was taken over by the Vestey Group in 1944. The ‘Churchill’ was the last ship to carry Lamport & Holt livery until 1991 when it was transferred to the Blue Star line and renamed ‘Argentina Star’.