Washington Cruisers

This flag was used by George Washington on his

squadron of six schooners which he outfitted at

his own expense in the fall of 1775. This flag was

a variation of the New England Pine Tree flag.

It was later modified and adopted by the

Massachusetts Navy. The Sons of Liberty would

rally under a large tree, in Boston Massachusetts,

which came to be known as "The Liberty Tree".

This tree became a symbol of American

independence. Knowing they were up against a

great military power they believed they were

sustained by still a greater power, thus their

"APPEAL TO HEAVEN."

Col. Joseph Reed to Col. John Glover and Stephen

Moylan, 20 October 1775, referring to

Washington's fleet of schooners: "Please to fix upon

some particular Colour for a Flag--& a Signal, by

which our vessels may know one another—What do

you think of a Flag with a White Ground, a Tree in

the Middle-the Motto (Appeal to Heaven)-This is the

Flag of our floating Batteries."

Sir Hugh Palliser to Lord Sandwich, 6 January 1776,

referring to the flag of the captured brig Washington,

of George Washington's fleet: "Captain Medows has

brought the American vessel's colours, it is a white

field with a green pine tree in the middle: the motto,

Appeal to Heaven."

The Massachusetts General Court established the flag

of the state navy on 26 July 1776: "that the Colours be a

white Flagg, with a green Pine Tree, and an Inscription,

"Appeal to Heaven.'"