For those of you who don't know, HMS Victory is probably the most famous warship in the world (though many people might argue that the Bismarck holds that distinction currently). Suffice it to say, before WWII this honor would undoubtedly have been held by HMS Victory. She is the oldest serving warship in commission, having been built in 1758 (the same year her most famous commander Lord Horatio Nelson was born) and the only ship of the line still existing. (The American frigate Constitution is both much younger and much smaller).
Victory was Admiral Sir John Jarvis' flagship at the battle of Cape St. Vincent (1797) and Nelson's flagship at Trafalgar (1805). (For a very funny take on the battle, check out the French reportage of the action.) In the Age of Sail this massive 1st-rater (a classification of ship) carried better than 100 cannon and was very much queen of all that she surveyed.
I think every English schoolboy, myself included, was raised steeped in the stories about Nelson and his great victories. He fell at the height of the battle of Trafalgar (the modern era's most decisive naval battle) with victory over the combined French and Spanish fleets in sight.
I visited the ship last year where it is in drydock at Portsmouth harbour undergoing restoration in preparation for the 200th anniversary of that battle. I was stunned to find pieces of the HMS Victory on sail in the gift shop! Apparently, the restoration trust is trying to recoup the investment of having to replace some of her decking and other woodwork and is selling off the original oak in small pieces.
And now I own a piece of her. Capital.
Posted by artandscience at January 24, 2004 02:40 PM