Thomas Whitcombe circa 1752 - circa 1824

The Corporation of Trinity House was established in the reign of Henry VIII "so that they might regulate the pilotage of ships in the King's streams".  James I subsequently conferred on the Corporation the exclusive right to license pilots, a right which they held until it was transferred to the Port and Harbour Authorities in 1987.  The Corporation was also responsible for setting up sea markers and beacons "whereby the dangers may be avoided and escaped and ships the better come into their ports without peril".  This led to them holding responsibility for the establishment and maintenance of lighthouses, the first one of which was built at Lowestoft in 1609.

The Trinity House yacht in the present picture flies the Trinity House flag which comprises a St George's cross with identical ships in each quadrant. 

A painting of A Trinity House yacht and a revenue cutter off Ramsgate by Whitcombe is in the National Maritime Museum.