Why Do We Fly The Union Jack Upside Down To Show Distress?

18 July 2017, 15:17 | Updated: 18 July 2017, 15:22

This caller wanted to know why we fly flags upside down to signal distress at sea. James had a rather simple answer.

Question

Why do we fly the union jack upside down to signal distress?

Mark, Lee-on-Solent

Answer

If you only have one flag on your ship and you need to send a message, you’re going to turn it upside down because you can’t do anything else with it!