Flag Day: Emblem of historic Hull whaler ‘Truelove’ restored

DELICATE WORK: Repairing the Truelove flag

The flag from the historic Hull whaler Truelove has been restored and is ready for display in its specially commissioned showcase.

The 15ft (4.57m) flag, dating back to 1873, had been on display at height for more than 40 years in the whaling gallery at Hull’s Maritime Museum.

It was lowered by technicians in January to enable conservation work to take place.

Laid flat over an expanse of tables, a thorough inspection of the textile and photographic documentation of its condition was completed.

Textile conservator, Kate Stockwell, from Leeds, who specialises in delicate fabrics, carried out surface cleaning. Dust was lifted from the surface of the textile by gently brushing with a soft bristle brush in combination with suction from a museum vac.

A 5m long Velcro strip, which had been attached to the top edge of the flag as part of the previous conservation treatment in 1979, was also removed.

COMING DOWN: The flag being removed for conservation work

It soon became apparent that a previous repair with cotton fabric on the upper left corner had to be removed as it has faded over the years and no longer matched to the original. The removal of the covering revealed that the original textile had suffered significant loss and damage, as it would have to carry much of the weight when the flag was originally hung.

The area was reinforced with hand-stitched lines with matching sewing threads that blended with the original blue background. To further consolidate the damaged blue wool, a custom-dyed net covering was applied to the top strip of wool covering the first row of stars.

The flag was then turned on the other side to begin work on cleaning the lining. This was carried out using the same technique, brush and vacuum suction. Additional cleaning was carried out using a smoke sponge on the areas discoloured with engrained particulate soiling.

Stathis Tsolis, conservation and engagement officer with the Hull Maritime project, said: “A closer look showed that the flag was in need of treatment, and thanks to this project and funding from The National Lottery Fund and Hull Council, means that this historic artefact has been preserved for many years to come.

“The Truelove flag will now be placed into storage and will be re-displayed as part of our exciting plans for the refurbished museum.”

GETTING IT RIGHT: Examining archive images of the flag

Ms Stockwell said: “Forty years on open display, following the original conservation treatment, had taken its toll.

“It is always interesting and challenging revisiting a previous treatment. The earlier work done in itself forms part of the object's history. In general the treatment has lasted well, and with a clean and a few minor changes the Truelove flag will soon be back on display, this time in a specially commissioned showcase.”

The final stage of treatment was to prepare the flag for transportation and long-term storage, while the refurbishment of the museum takes place. This was done with the flag face down so that when rolled the front face was on the outside of an 160mm diameter plastic tube.

The flag was interleaved with sheets of acid-free tissue, with a top layer of Tyvek fabric for extra protection.

The remaining objects from the museum’s collection are currently being prepared for packing and transportation. This is a fairly complex task and is expected to take a number of weeks. Work to redevelop the museum can then get underway.

CAREFUL: Conservators rolling the flag on a 160mm diameter plastic tube

The Truelove was a Hull whaler with an even longer history than its flag.

Built in Philadelphia in 1764, she was used during the American War of Independence (1775-1783), during which she was captured by the British.

It was then sold to John Voase, a wine merchant and ship owner in Hull. After being strengthened, Truelove began life as a whale ship in 1784. It made 72 voyages to the Arctic and caught more than 400 whales under various captains.

She made her last whaling voyage in 1868, when she and the Diana where the only whalers sailing out of Hull.

In 1873, the Truelove sailed as a merchant ship back into its home port of Philadelphia after a 109-year career. After causing a stir with the locals aware of its heritage, Captain Thomas Weatherill was presented with this flag.