The U.S. Yacht Ensign has a classic design, and an important place in maritime history. Its origin goes all the way back to 1847, the bustling New York port and New York Yacht Club Commodore John Stevens.
The nation was growing fast and New York's port was busy not just with commercial vessels but plenty of pleasure craft. Back then the rule of the port was that each ship, whether or not it was carrying commercial cargo, had to go through the Customs House, a time-consuming proposition. Commodore Stevens, working with the Secretaries of Treasury and Navy, came up with a signal flag that allowed private vessels to bypass the Customs House. The flag quickly became so popular with boaters it was soon used in place of the United States flag.
It is just as popular today and our U.S. Yacht Ensigns are made in America by Annin Flagmakers. The Annin brothers, Edward and Benjamin, began making sails for ships in 1820 and quickly expanded into the flag making business. Still family owned, every Yacht Ensign and flag the company produces is done right here in the United States of American made materials. Annin is America's oldest and largest flag manufacturer.