Whilst sitting in the eye hospital this afternoon I had time to reflect and figured on the chance that as the post seems to be vacant between Jan and August the ensigns used may well have remained that of the former incumbent until Warren arrived on station.
Dave Manley may well be able to shed some light on the protocol for this.
Rob.
The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.
Just came across this from a document in the Maritime museum.
The British government, engaged in a global war with Napoleonic France and with its financial and military resources stretched, had little desire to begin another conflict across the Atlantic in North America. Meanwhile, the hawks among American politicians realised that their country was perhaps not quite as prepared in terms of material resources (or eager, at least in the northeastern United States, where a profitable merchant trade was flourishing with British North America) to go to war with Britain and her remaining North American colonies. After much diplomacy, tensions eased, and an infuriated Admiralty Board recalled Berkeley to London, replacing him with Admiral Sir John Borlase Warren on 15 October 1807. Warren took over command on Berkeley's departure from Bermuda on 27 February 1808. Warren himself was replaced as station commander by Vice Admiral Herbert Sawyer on 26 November 1810, taking over command on Warren's departure on 21 January 1811. Sawyer would remain in Halifax until Warren's return after the start of the War of 1812. Meanwhile, on the 16 May 1811 another incident involving HMSLittle Belt, during which the much more powerful USS President opened fire on the smaller sloop without any warning, heightened naval tensions to even greater levels, and foreshadowed the coming conflict.
Rob.
The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.
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