Since 1801 no change had been made in this Union Jack of George III., which was the first three-crossed Jack of its race, and is our present Union Jack. From 1801 onward dates this glorious flag, in which all three nations are represented. It was born when the power of Great Britain seemed almost wrecked. Reverses had accumulated upon her. In America many of her possessions among the West Indies and on the surrounding coasts[135] had been wrested from her flag, and thirteen of her longest established and most populous colonies, becoming the United States, and aided by men, money and fleet from the French in Europe, had revolted from her sway and abandoned their allegiance. In Europe the nations of France, Spain and Holland were united in arms against her, and she was battling almost single-handed against the power of the great Napoleon; yet, undaunted by these trials, the sons of the united nation ran their new Union Jack up aloft, and started out to frame that marvellous career which it has since achieved. [135] In 1781 England lost Tobago, St. Eustachius, Demerara, Essequibo, St. Christopher, Nevis, and Montserrat. "For England's courage flames The fiercest in defeat, And in the day she stands at bay Most dangerous to meet."[136] [136] Kirby: "Canadian Idylls." This third Union Jack flew at Aboukir when Abercrombie drove Napoleon out of Egypt; with it were won the triumphs of Wellington, from Assaye in India, through Badajoz and Spain, to the crowning victory at Waterloo. It was the flag which floated in the "white ensign" on all the ships at Trafalgar,[137] and on the _Victory_ when Nelson sent aloft his British watchword: "England expects every man will do his duty." [137] Nelson, in order to have the British ships easily recognized by one another in the action, had ordered that instead of wearing (in accordance with regulations) the flags of their respective red, white or blue squadrons, all the ships should wear the same flag (the white ensign) as himself. The halo of that signal shone around it at Balaclava, when the heroes of the valley-charge proved it was "Theirs not to reason why, Theirs not to make reply; Theirs but to do and die"; and again above the _Birkenhead_, at sea, when five hundred steadfast men went down beneath its folds, inspired by its duty-call. [Illustration: 52. THE UNION JACK AND SHACKLETON AT FARTHEST SOUTH. (From a photograph taken at the spot.)] In Africa, Melville and Coghill wrapped it around their bodies at Isandula, and won death to save it from the foe; for it the forty mounted riflemen of Matabeleland died in their tracks, singing "God Save the Queen," and yet again at the call of the race the sons of the Flag from all around the world hastened to help it to hold its own upon the veldt.