Commodore Perry "Don't Give Up the Ship" Flag

The Commodore Perry Flag, famously bearing the phrase "Don't Give Up the Ship," is a powerful symbol of American naval might from the War of 1812. Inspired by the dying words of Captain James Lawrence, this phrase became the battle cry of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, who led U.S. forces to victory at the Battle of Lake Erie in 1813. The flag served as a rallying symbol for American sailors, emphasizing perseverance and courage in combat. Perry's triumph secured American control of the Great Lakes and boosted national morale. Today, this historic flag remains a revered emblem of naval heritage and steadfast determination with its inspiring message.

Our reproduction brings that history out of the museum and onto your pole, boat, or wall. Printed on durable all-weather nylon and finished with a canvas heading and brass grommets, it's built to be flown — not just framed. Available in a 12x18" boat size and larger sizes suited for residential poles, indoor display, or reenactor use.

Before You Order: Two Construction Methods, Two Different Flags

The Commodore Perry flag comes in two distinct constructions depending on size. This is the single most important thing to understand before ordering, and it's the most common source of confusion on this product.

The 12x18" boat size is built differently from the larger sizes. The 12x18" is double-sided screen-printed nylon — the design reads correctly on both the front and the back, which is what boaters need. All larger sizes are digitally printed, single-reverse, meaning the design reads correctly on the front and shows in mirror image on the back (standard for flagpole-flown flags). If you're rigging this on a boat staff, you want the 12x18". If you're flying it from a pole or hanging it on a wall, you want one of the larger sizes.

Both constructions use the same all-weather nylon, the same canvas heading, and the same brass grommet attachment. The difference is strictly in how the artwork is applied and whether the back reads correctly or in reverse.

Picking the Right Size

Three common use cases, three different size recommendations:

Flag vs. Burgee: Two Different Products

We carry the Commodore Perry design in two shapes, and customers occasionally order one when they wanted the other:

Construction and Materials

All-Weather Nylon

Nylon is the standard outdoor flag fabric for good reason: it's lightweight enough to fly in a moderate breeze, dries quickly after rain, and holds color well under UV exposure. It's the same fabric we use on most of our outdoor American flags.

Digital Print, Single-Reverse (Larger Sizes)

The design is printed onto one side of the nylon using inks that bond to the fibers. The image bleeds through enough that you can clearly read it from the back, but in mirror image — this is normal for outdoor flags and is how the vast majority of printed flags on residential and commercial poles are constructed.

Screen Print, Double-Sided (12x18" Boat Size Only)

Two pieces of nylon are individually printed and sewn together so the design reads correctly from both sides. This is the standard for boat flags, where the flag is viewed from multiple angles and a mirrored back would be confusing.

Finishing

All sizes are finished with a canvas heading and brass grommets for halyard attachment. Larger sizes also have four rows of reinforced stitching on the fly end — the edge that takes the most wear in a stiff wind.

A Note on Historical Authenticity

This is a printed reproduction designed to be flown, not a museum-grade hand-sewn replica. The colors, layout, and proportions follow the historical record, but the construction is modern: nylon fabric, machine-applied artwork, machine stitching. For most customers — boaters, homeowners, history enthusiasts, classroom teachers, and reenactor units that want a flyable unit flag — that's exactly the right tradeoff. If you need a hand-sewn cotton or wool reproduction for a specific living-history impression, that's a custom job; request a quote and we can talk through what you need.

Related Historical Flags

The Commodore Perry flag sits at the intersection of two collecting categories on our site:

• Historical Flags — our full lineup of American historical reproductions, from colonial-era through the Civil War and beyond.
• War & Battle Flags — the subcategory specifically for battle flags and unit colors carried in American military engagements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between this flag and the Commodore Perry burgee?

Shape and intended use. This page is the rectangular battle flag — the design Perry actually flew on the USS Lawrence — available in a boat size and larger pole/display sizes. The burgee is a 12x18" triangular pennant with a swallowtail cut, designed specifically for boats and yacht-club-style display. If you want the historical battle-flag look, you're on the right page. If you want a sleek pennant for a boat staff, the burgee is the better fit.

Why does the back of the flag look reversed?

The larger sizes are single-reverse, which is standard construction for printed outdoor flags. The artwork is applied to one side of the nylon, and the image shows through to the back in mirror image. When the flag is flown on a pole, viewers on the opposite side see the design reversed — this is how almost all printed pole-flown flags work, including most printed American flags on residential poles. If you need both sides to read correctly (most common for boat use), order the 12x18" boat size, which is double-sided.

Is the 12x18" really constructed differently from the other sizes?

Yes. The 12x18" is double-sided screen-printed nylon — two printed panels sewn together so the design reads correctly on both faces. All larger sizes are digitally printed, single-reverse. The fabric, header, and grommets are consistent across sizes; the difference is in how the artwork is applied. We make the distinction because boaters need both-sides-correct, while pole-flown flags don't.

Which size should I get for a boat versus a flagpole versus a wall display?

Boat staff: 12x18" — it's the only size that reads correctly on both sides. Residential flagpole or house-mount bracket: 3x5' is the standard. Wall display, indoor parade pole, or reenactor use: larger sizes work well; pick based on the viewing distance and the space you're filling.

Is this flag suitable for outdoor, all-weather flying?

Yes — that's what it's built for. The nylon fabric handles rain, wind, and UV exposure, and the canvas-and-brass header is the same hardware we put on our standard outdoor flags. Like any outdoor flag, lifespan depends on how exposed your location is; coastal, high-wind, or full-sun sites wear flags faster than sheltered ones. Bringing the flag in during severe weather extends its life noticeably.

Questions? We're Here to Help

Gettysburg Flag Works has been a small, family-run flag and flagpole business since 1993, based in East Greenbush, NY. If you're not sure which size you need, whether the construction will work for your specific use, or whether we can make a custom variant, get in touch — we'd rather talk you into the right flag than ship you the wrong one. Reach us through our contact page.