[LMB] Pirates of the Carribean 2 OT:

[ANDREW BARTON]

ANDREW BARTON wrote:

> Do we see a Union Flag or Royal Navy Ensign at any point in the film?

  'Marna, geeky.' replied:
  
> The merchantman, correctly, flies the 1707 red ensign.
   
  Getting the 1707 ensign right is impressive.  Putting it on a merchant ship perhaps less so.  The Red Ensign was originally used by the Red Squadron of the Royal Navy and therefore by Admirals 'of the Red' - the senior colour (followed by White and Blue).  [This is why the last Jack Aubrey book has the self-spoiler title 'Blue at the Mizzen', the sign of a newly-promoted Rear-Admiral.]
   
  The current arrangements date only to the 19th century.  Navy ships now all fly the White ensign, chosen because Nelson was in the White at the time of his death and flew the White Ensign at Trafalgar.  Merchantmen were first authorised to fly the Red Ensign in 1854 (says Wiki).  The Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve flies the Blue Ensign.
   
  The 'Pirates' makers seem to have included historical detail in many places but allowed the story to trump history (and physics) whenever the two came in conflict.  Seems reasonable to me.
   
  Andrew