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Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

• to 2009: Saint Helena Colony, with the Dependencies Ascension Island, Tristan da Cunha, Inaccessible Island, Nightingale Island, Gough Island
• possession of United Kingdom
  

Contents

• Flags

• Historical Flags

• Meaning/Origin of the Flag

• Coat of Arms

• Meaning/Origin of the Coat of Arms

• Map

• Numbers and Facts

• History

• Origin of the Country's Name

Flags

since 1834,
Union Flag → quasi national flag,
Flag of United Kingdom,
ratio = 1:2,
Source, by: Wikipedia (EN)





since 1864,
Merchant flag,
ratio = 1:2,
Source, by: Flags of all Nations





since 1999,
Flag of the Governor,
ratio = 1:2,
Source, by: Wikipedia (EN), Flags of the World

Saint Helena

since 2019,
National and state flag,
ratio = 1:2,
Source, by: Wikipedia (EN), Flags of the World, Corel Draw 4

Tristan da Cunha

since 2002,
National and state flag,
ratio = 1:2,
Source, by: Wikipedia (EN), Flags of the World





since 1999,
Flag of the Administrator,
ratio = 1:2,
Source, by: Wikipedia (EN), Flags of the World

Ascension

since 2013,
National and state flag,
ratio = 1:2,
Source, by: Flags of the World

Historical Flags

ca. 1659–1707,
Flag of the English East India Company,
Source, by: commons.wikimedia.org





1707–1801,
Flag of the British East India Company,
Source, by: commons.wikimedia.org





1801–1833,
Flag of the British East India Company,
Source, by: commons.wikimedia.org





ca. 1811, Tristan da Cunha,
unofficial flag,
ratio = 1:1,
Source: Flags of the World





1874–1984, Saint Helena,
Flag of the government (state flag),
ratio = 1:2,
Source, by: Flags of the World, Corel Draw 4





1944–1984, Saint Helena,
Flag of the Governor,
ratio = 1:2,
Source, by: Wikipedia (EN), Flags of the World





1984–2019, Saint Helena,
National and state flag,
ratio = 1:2,
Source, by: Flags of the World, Corel Draw 4





1984–1999, Saint Helena,
Flag of the Governor,
ratio = 1:2,
Source, by: 1.) Flags of the World, 2.) Flags of the World





1999–2019, Saint Helena,
Flag of the Governor,
ratio = 1:2,
Source, by: 1.) Flags of the World, 2.) Flags of the World

Meaning/Origin of the Flag

St. Helena and its dependencies are British outlying possessions. Their flags are subject to the regulations of the British Ensign system. St. Helena and its Dependencies became a British Crown Colony in 1834, the flag of United Kingdom was hoisted, the islands became part of the United Kingdom and were given their own administration and governor. From this point in time onwards, individuals, citizens and also the authorities represented their status as citizens or organs of the British nation, embodied in the United Kingdom, through the use of the Union Jack, then called the "Union Flag". At sea, the British merchant flag, the Red Ensign, was intended for British citizens from 1864. In a few cases, the citizens of a colony were authorised by the Admiralty to use their own Red Ensign with the colony's badge at sea.

The Union Flag is therefore the actual national and state flag on land. On St. Helena and its dependencies, the "Blue Ensign" (the actual state flag at sea) with the country's insignia may also be used as the national flag for decorative purposes since 1984, if the governor has authorised this, and for a limited period of time, e.g. at an event (also outside the country) or also for differentiation, if the use of the Union flag would be inappropriate or could cause confusion. On land, however, the aspect ratio of the flag should be 3:5. A "Blue Ensign" is a dark blue bunting with a flag representation – the British Union Jack – in the upper corner and the country's badge in the flying end of the flag, with the Union Jack indicating the links to United Kingdom.

United Kingdom introduced a flag system in 1864 in which:
• war ships fly the "White Ensign" (naval flag), a white flag often with an uninterrupted red St. George's-Cross and with the Union Jack in the upper staff quadrant of the flag,
• merchant ships fly a "Red Ensign" (also named "Civil Ensign" → civil flag, the real merchant flag), a red flag with the Union Jack in the upper staff quadrant of the flag, and
• governmental ships fly the "Blue Ensign" (flag for the use by the gouvernment → the actual state flag), a blue flag with the Union Jack in the upper staff quadrant of the flag.

From 1865, the ships of the colonial governments were allowed to use a Blue Ensign with a badge at the flying end. The respective governments were to provide appropriate badges. Merchant ships and seafaring privateers from colonies were only allowed to use a Red Ensign with a badge if the British Admiralty had issued a corresponding licence for that colony.

Such a badge was often a regional landscape depiction on a disc, often showed ships, historical events or could simply be a kind of logo. Very often a badge also contained the name of the country or a motto. However, some possessions had a coat of arms from the beginning or were given their own coat of arms over the years and the badge was abolished. To ensure a largely uniform appearance in the flying end of the flags, coats of arms and other symbols were displayed on a white disc in the size of the former badges.

However, there were also exceptions, as some colonies dispensed with this white disc and placed their coat of arms or even just the shield – sometimes enlarged – directly on the bunting. As early as the 1940s, the white disc was removed and the coat of arms was applied directly or enlarged. This conversion process took place gradually, nowhere simultaneously and completely. In some British possessions flags with the white disc are still in use today, in others no longer and in some areas both variants exist side by side.

In 1874, an own "Blue Ensign" was introduced as the state flag at sea, a dark blue bunting with a flag depiction – the British Union Jack – in the upper corner (indicating the links to United Kingdom), which showed the badge in the flying end of the flag. In 1984, the badge on the flag was abolished and was replaced by the escutcheon of the coat of arms awarded in 1984. In 2019, the depiction of the plover was adapted more to reality and the golden yellow was changed to gold. In 2002 and 2013, the Tristan da Cunha and Ascension Dependencies introduced their own "Blue Ensigns" as national and state flags for use by citizens and authorities. As St. Helena follows the British ensign and colour system, the colours of the flag correspond to the spectrum specified by the British Ministry of Defence in its publication "Flags of all Nations" (a service regulation) for the following colours: Blue = pt 180 c, Red = pt 186 c.

Source: Die Welt der Flaggen, Wikipedia (EN), Flags of the World, Volker Preuß

Coat of Arms

since 2019,
Coat of arms of Saint Helena,
Source, by: Corel Draw 4, sainthelena.gov.sh



1984–2019,
Coat of arms of Saint Helena,
Source, by: Corel Draw 4



since 2019,
Bagde of Saint Helena,
Source, by: Wikipedia (EN)



1984–2019,
Bagde of Saint Helena,
Source, by: Corel Draw 4, Flags of the World



1874–1984,
Bagde of Saint Helena,
Source, by: Flags of the World

Meaning/Origin of the Coat of Arms

The today's coat of arms of Saint Helena was introduced on 30th of January in 1984. It shows an escutcheon with a three-master with reefed sails and an English flag at the stern at the foot of high, steep cliffs. The scene is considered a symbol of the taking possession by the English East India Company in 1659. In the head of the shield there is a golden field with a plover, which is supposed to represent the local fauna. Gold and blue blankets appear to the left and right of the shield. Above the shield is a helmet with an iron crown made of heraldic shields and sails. Above the crown appears Saint Helena with the cross. She is holding a flower in her hand. Below the coat of arms there is a banner with the colony's motto: "Loyal and unshakeable". Instead of the complete coat of arms, only the escutcheon is shown as a badge on the blue governmental flag. The template for Helena's first badge from 1874 was the island's previously used seal, including a picture, decorative frame and decorative cloth on the top edge. The picture showed – like on today's coat of arms – a three-master with reefed sails and an English flag at the stern at the foot of high, steep cliffs. Such landscape scenes were used in many British colonies. In 1984 the coat of arms for Saint Helena and Dependencies was introduced. However, not the entire coat of arms was transferred to the Blue Ensign, but only the shield of the coat of arms was used as a badge. In 2019, the image of the plover was adapted more to reality and the golden yellow was changed to gold.

Source: Die Welt der Flaggen, Wikipedia (EN), Flags of the World, Volker Preuß

Map

Location:

Source: CIA World Factbook

Map of the country:

Source: CIA World Factbook

Numbers and Facts

Area: 152 square miles, thereof Saint Helena 47 sq.mi., 4.534 inh. (2016), Ascension 34 sq.mi., 806 inh. (2016), Tristan da Cunha 39 mi², 243 Ew. (2021), with the Islands of Inaccessible and Nightingale, 6,7 sq.mi., all uninhabited, and Gough Island, 35 sq.mi., with the crew of a scientific station

Inhabitants: 5.633 (2016), thereof 50% of African descent, 25% Europeans, 25% Chinese

Religions: mostly Anglicans, some Roman Catholics

Density of Population: 37 inh./sq.mi.

Main Place: Jamestown (on Staint Helena), 625 inh. (2021)

official Language: English

Currency (on Saint Helena und Ascension): 1 Saint Helena Pound (£, SHP) = 100 Pence

Currency (on Tristan da Cunha): 1 Pound Sterling (£, GBP) = 100 Pence

Time Zone: GMT

Source: Wikipedia (EN), CIA World Factbook

History

Saint Helena

21st of May 1502 · the Portugese seafarer João da Nova discovers the uninhabited island, he names it by the Saint Helena, the island becomes occupied and they built a church

ca. 1600 · Saint Helena becomes occupied by the Dutch, the Portugese smallholding becomes destroyed

1659 · (by other sources in 1650) the English East India Company takes Saint Helena over in exchange against land near Cape of Good Hope

1660 · settlement moves, foundation of Fort Saint James

1st of April 1815 · the British government takes over the administration of Saint Helena and appropriates the Islands Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

October 1815 · Napoléon Bonaparte, the Ex-Emperor of France, comes to Longwood on Saint Helena in exile, United Kingdom stationes troops on Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha to prevent an escape/liberation of Napoléon

5th of May 1821 · Napoléon Bonaparte dies in Longwood on Saint Helena

1833 · Saint Helena becomes a British crown colony

1838 · the island Tristan da Cunha and the uninhabited islands of Innaccessible and Nightingale become affiliated to the Colony of Saint Helena as dependence

1840 · the corpse of Napoléon becomes transfered to Paris

1922 · Ascension Island becomes affiliated to the Colony of Saint Helena as dependence

1976 · introduction of an own currency (Saint Helena Pound)

1st of September 2009 · on the British possession "Saint Helena and Dependencies" a new constitution comes into force, the three islands receive the same status as three equal territories under the British Crown; Inaccessible Island, Nightingale Island and Gough Island are attached to Tristan da Cunha, the area is renamed in "Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha"

Ascension

1501 · Portugese seafarers discover the uninhabited Ascension Island

01.04.1815 · the British government appropriates Ascension Island

October 1815 · Napoléon Bonaparte, the Ex-Emperor of France, comes to Longwood on Saint Helena in exile, United Kingdom stationes troops on Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha to prevent an escape/liberation of Napoléon

5th of May 1821 · Napoléon Bonaparte dies in Longwood on Saint Helena, Ascension Island remains occupied and becomes build up to a naval base

1829 · on Ascension Island arises the housing estate of Gerogetown

1922 · Ascension Island becomes affiliated to the Colony of Saint Helena as dependence

1976 · introduction of an own currency (Saint Helena Pound)

Tristan da Cunha

1506 · the Portugese seafarer Tristan da Cunha discovers the uninhabited island, it gets its name

1st of April 1815 · the British government appropriates Tristan da Cunha

October 1815 · Napoléon Bonaparte, the Ex-Emperor of France, comes to Longwood on Saint Helena in exile, United Kingdom stationes troops on Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha to prevent an escape/liberation of Napoléon

5th of May 1821 · Napoléon Bonaparte dies in Longwood on Saint Helena, Tristan da Cunha should become abandoned, but Corporal William Glass, two mariners and their families stay there and establish a housing estate

1838 · the island Tristan da Cunha and the uninhabited islands of Innaccessible and Nightingale become affiliated to the Colony of Saint Helena as dependence

1867 · the housing estate on Tristan da Cunha gets the name Edinburgh

1976 · introduction of an own currency (Saint Helena Pound)

Inaccessible Island

1652 · Dutch seafarers discover the uninhabited island 12,5 miles northwestern of today’s Nightingale Island, they debark under big difficulties but it is not possible to reach the interior, because of that they name the island "Inaccessible"

5th of May 1821 · Napoléon Bonaparte dies in Longwood on Saint Helena, the neighbouring island Tristan da Cunha should become abandoned, but Corporal William Glass, two mariners and their families stay there and establish a housing estate, they release pigs and goats on Inaccessible Island for a later hunt

1871 · the German brethren Stoltenhoff debark on the island and try to live there

1873 · the Stoltenhoffs become rescued by a British research ship

1922 · the antarktic explorer Ernest Shackleton visits the island

1938 · a Norwegian expedition explores the island

1942 · establishment of a British radio and weather station

1962 · a British expedition explores the island, but it is not possible to reach the interior

1982 · a British expedition explores the island

1995 · the island becomes a part of the world nature legacy of the UNESCO

Nightingale Island

1506 · the Portugese seafarer Tristan da Cunha discovers the uninhabited island 19 miles southwestern Tristan da Cunha Island, but the position of the island falls into oblivion

1652 · Dutch seafarers discover the island again and name it "Gebroken Eyland"

1760 · Gabriel Nightingale explores the island, it gets later his name

Gough Island

1506 · the Portugese seafarer Diego Gonçalo Alvarez discovers the uninhabited island 250 miles southeastern of Tristan da Cunha Island and gives it his name (Diego Alvarez), but the position of the island falls into oblivion

1731 · the British seafarer captain Charles Gough discovers the island again, it gets later his name

1810 · seven US-Americans try to settle on Gough Island

1811 · the US-Americans leave the island, a British ship visits the island

1888 · US-American sealers live for five month on Gough Island

1904 · a British expedition explores the island

1922 · the antarktic explorer Ernest Shackleton visits the island

1933 · a Norwegian expedition explores the island

28.03.1938 · United Kingdom appropriates Gough Island, it becomes affiliated to the Colony of Saint Helena as dependence

1942 · a German merchant ship visits the island for repairing

1955 · a British expedition explores the island

1956 · establishment of an until today permanent manned weather watch station by South Africa

1958 · the USA perform three nuclear tests in an altitude of ca. 300 miles

1995 · the island becomes a part of the world nature legacy of the UNESCO

Source: Atlas zur Geschichte, World Statesmen, Wikipedia (EN), Volker Preuß

Origin of the Country's Name

• The name of the island "Saint Helena" goes back to the day of the discovery of this island by João da Nova. It was the name day of Saint Helena. Helena (ca. 255–ca.330) was the mother of Emperor Constantin the Great. She build together with her son churches in Rome and in the Holy Land. A legend tells us above her playing a part in the find of the cross of Jesus Christ.
• The name of the island "Ascension" goes back to the day of its discovery. It was the day of the Ascension of Christ (Ascensus).
• The name of the island "Tristan da Cunha" is the name of its discoverer (in the year 1506), a Portugese seafarer.
• The name of the island "Inaccessible" goes back to the day of its discovery in the year 1652. It was at that time not possible to reach the interior. It was named "the Inaccessible".
• The name of the island "Nightingale" is the name of a British explorer who explored the island in the year 1760.
• The name of the island "Gough" is the name of its re-discoverer, of captain Gough, who discovered the island again in the year 1731, after its position fell into oblivion since its discovery in the year 1506.

Source: World Statesmen, Wikipedia (EN), Volker Preuß