November 8, 2000

It was a pleasant coincidence to encounter your article on the half-masting of flags after discussing the subject recently with my father (a naval history buff).

A couple of tidbits of which you might not be aware:

• "Half-mast" originally did not refer to halfway down the mast or staff, unlike common usage. Half-mast indicated that the flag be displayed at one flag width below the top – the top position being left vacant as a sign of respect for the departed.

• The first recorded instance of this custom took place in Canadian territorial waters in 1612, after the murder of the master of the Royal Navy vessel Hearts Ease by Eskimos whilst searching for the Northwest Passage.

Yours,
James Ellis

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