What is the Cumberland Pennant, and when and where do I fly it?
The Cumberland Pennant is the flag of the Cumberland Fleet, the modern version being based on the original 1775 design but a little smaller (in 1775, minimum length of the pennant was 26ft). Today it is worn by yachts of the Cumberland Fleet as a celebration flag when together at a meet or rally, for example, or in foreign parts as an invitation to other Cumberland Fleeters to join company. It is normally worn at the starboard yardarm or spreader, unless a courtesy ensign or flag is there, in which case it is shifted to the port spreader. It may with equal propriety be flown from another part of the ship in the foretrianlge, as a battle flag, for example. The Cumberland Pennant is often presented to yachts, or to other clubs, that join in Cumberland Fleet activities to mark their participation (The burgee is never so presented, being very strictly for members of the Royal Thames Yacht Club only.) Unlike the Ensign, which may be worn only when the Club burgee is aloft, the Cumberland Pe
