National flag of the USA (1896-1908)

Machine sewn wool bunting flag with 45 cotton stars applied in the canton. The hoist is made of linen with brass grommets at the top and bottom.

The flag was presented to St Bartholomew's Hospital by Admiral Sir Hugh Watson (1872-1954) in 1931. Hugh Watson commanded the river gunboat 'Woodcock' in 1898 in China and he was in that country at the time of the Boxer War in 1900. This flag may have been acquired by Watson at this time, as both the USA and Germany were involved in the suppression of the Boxers.

Object Details

ID: AAA0503
Collection: Flags
Type: National flag
Display location: Not on display
Places: United States of America
Date made: before 1908
People: Watson, Hugh
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: flag: 838.2 x 1676.4 mm