Restored flag from ship that sank more than 150 years ago set to be unveiled by University of Wolverhampton
The University of Wolverhampton has completed the successful restoration of a lost flag from a ship that sank more than 150 years ago.
HMS Captain was a British warship that sank on September 8, 1870 due to design flaws, with parts of its turret made in Wolverhampton during the city's industrial boom.
The ship's captain and designer Cowper Phipps Coles had strong connections to Wolverhampton’s iron industry, particularly through John Penn & Sons and local foundries that were involved in producing parts for his innovative rotating gun turret.
The University of Wolverhampton will unveil the historic naval ensign at a landmark event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on September 23.
This national gala will bring together distinguished guests including Princess Anne, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, and historian Dan Snow MBE, alongside leading academics, alumni, and supporters of maritime heritage. The event marks the first public display of the restored flag, which has been carefully conserved by a specialist textile expert in Bristol and housed in a bespoke protective case funded by University Alumni donations.
Dr. Howard Fuller, project manager of the Find the Captain campaign, said: “This is a once-in-a-generation moment. The unveiling of HMS Captain’s flag is not only a tribute to those lost at sea, but a celebration of the university’s leadership in historical research and preservation.”
The restoration was made possible through the University’s Centre for Historical Research (CHR), the Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences (FABSS) Small Grant Scheme, and the Find the Captain campaign.
Among the donors was Michael Admiraal, university alumnus who studied for an MA in Military History via distance learning. He said: “The online MA Military History course reconnected me with the academic world after some 40 years, thanks to the commitment of my supervisors, especially Dr. Howard Fuller.
“In today’s climate of budget cuts and political aggression against universities, alumni support is more vital than ever. Projects like Find the Captain - which connect directly with academic study - can be realised through small donations. As a military historian now pursuing a PhD, it’s fascinating to be involved in discovering a real part of history.”
