The house flag of the Eastern Telegraph Co, London. The flag is made of wool bunting, machine sewn with a linen hoist. A rope and wooden toggle is attached. The fly edge is torn and frayed at the corners. It was used by the cable ship 'Electra' 1885.

A rectangular flag, with a modern Union Flag in the canton. The field is divided horizontally into nine stripes, five red, four white. The blue letters 'E.T.C.' are applied to the lower half of the flag.


The Eastern Telegraph Co Ltd was formed in 1872 through the amalgamation of several smaller companies. Its first General Manager was Sir James Anderson, who had commanded the ‘Great Eastern’ during her successful laying of the Atlantic cable in 1866. This flag came from the company’s cable ship ‘Electra’ (1885).