A British White Ensign (post-1801 pattern). It is made of hand-sewn wool bunting with a rope and toggle attached and is made up in the irregular manner characteristic of flags of this period. This ensign was used only by the Royal Navy throughout its history but, before 1864, it would have been worn by ships under the command of an admiral of the white squadron. Sir Andrew Mitchell was Vice-Admiral of the White between 1 January 1801 and 23 April 1804.

The ensign is said to have belonged to Admiral Sir Andrew Mitchell (1757-1806). During the French Revolutionary Wars Mitchell was involved in the naval side of the 1799 campaign in the Netherlands. The military side of operations was unsuccessful and the British were forced to withdraw. In 1801 he commanded a squadron to the coast of Ireland. In late 1801 he had to suppress a mutiny, presiding over the trial of the ringleaders at Spithead. In the following spring Mitchell was appointed commander-in-chief on the North American station, dying after a short illness at Bermuda on 26 February 1806.