Why do British boats not have a Union Flag itself, and instead have a red background?
King Charles 2nd apparently issued a declaration that it was the appropriate flag for the British merchant fleet in 1647. addendum: ensign, the national flag as worn by the ships of a nation. Many countries which have navies as well as merchant ships use two ensigns, one for naval ships and one for merchant vessels. For British ships three ensigns are used, the White Ensign flown by a ship or naval shore establishment indicates a unit of the Royal Navy, the Blue Ensign is flown by naval auxiliary vessels, and the Red Ensign by vessels of the merchant navy. The White Ensign may also be flown by yachts above a certain tonnage belonging to the Royal Yacht Squadron. Many yacht clubs also have approval for their yachts to fly the Blue Ensign defaced with the badge of the club in the fly (the part of the flag furthest from the staff or halyard upon which it is hoisted – the bit that flutters in the wind!). Ant British vessel not naval may fly the Red Ensign, but again many yacht clubs have p
