HMS Victory---- the Glory of Horatio Nelson and Battle of Trafalgar

HMS Victory is my last but definitely not the least attraction I had while I visited Portsmouth Historic Dockyard on 11 September 2010. Before HMS Victory I popped to HMS Warrior 1860 and Mary Rose Museum for Mary Rose ship.

Brief history about HMS Victory:

HMS Victory is the oldest commissioned warship in the world and the sixth ship to bear the name. HMS Victory is the flagship of the Commander in Chief Naval Home Command. However HMS Victory is well known for being the flagship of Horatio Nelson in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

HMS Victory was designed by Thomas Slade and commissioned in 1778, remaining in active service until 1812. HMS Victory was built at Chatham Dockyard in Kent and now lives in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, appeared as at the Battle of Trafalgar 21st October 1805.

Tour highlights at HMS Victory:

1. The Great Cabin

The Great Cabin, also known as Admiral’s Cabin, where the admiral lived and would have conducted his day to day work; where the Admiral entertained his senior officers; where Nelson planned the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Today Admiral’s Cabin remains in use as it always has been.

Admiral’s Cabin is divided into four compartments and the splendour of the Admiral's cabin contrasts sharply with the living conditions of HMS Warrior 1860, not to mention the ordinary seamen on board Victory.

The centre of the Admiral's cabin is a round table that was part of Admiral Lord Nelson’s personal furniture; it is reputed, that Nelson wrote his final prayer at this table the evening before the Battle of Trafalgar. The dining table and chairs could be folded away in times of battle and guns could be positioned. In action, even the Admiral's cabin became part of the gun decks.

The Admiral had his own night cabin by the great day cabin and dining room. You can see Admiral Nelson's swinging cot here, with replicas of the hangings made for him by Emma, Lady Hamilton.

2. The Quarter Deck

Up on the Quarter Deck you can see a spot marked by the brass plaque to show where a musket ball from the French ship ‘Redoubtable’ fatally wounded Nelson at approximately 1-15pm.

3. The Upper Gun Deck

On the Upper Gun Deck you can see the main working area of HMS Victory. On either side of this deck you can see the ship’s heaviest armament of two 68lb carronades, which caused the most structural damage. Towards the rear of the deck is the belfry housing the ship’s bell which was struck every half-hour governing the sailor’s day. In the centre is the galley chimney. You can also see Leg Irons, which was used to flog the men that were to be punished.

4. Middle Gun Deck

Down to Middle Gun Deck there is an original 24Ib gun of the Trafalgar period. A fully trained British gun crew could fire this gun at a rate of 1 round every one and half minutes. Opposite this gun is the ship’s galley where food was cooked for all 850 crew. However at the battle of Trafalgar there were 821 crew on HMS Victory. By the way the marines and ship’s officers lived on this deck.

5. Lower Gun Deck

The oak deck planking on Lower Gun Deck is original from 1765 when HMS Victory was launched. Up to 500 seamen would have lived on Lower Gun Deck and slept in their hammocks at night as well as worked at Lower Gun Deck during the battle. It’s interesting to know what they eat and drink. The main meal of the day was dinner, that usually comprised of a stew of salt beef or pork and occasionally fish, which was accompanied by dried peas, beans or lentils. Owing to drinking water being scarce and of poor quality, beer, wine, grog or bandy was issued to the men to drink.

6. Grand Magazine

Grand Magazine was the ship’s main magazine and occupied the fore part of HMS Victory. This was originally entered through a single hatchway via a complex of lead lined passages from the deck above.

7. The Hold and Shot Lockers

The Hold was the largest single storage compartment on board, could contain enough provisions for six months when fully stored. In the after area of the hold you can see the pumps. At the front and rear of the Shot Lockers 80 tons of shot was stored to supply the guns.

8. Orlop Deck

The Orlop Deck is below the water line and safe from enemy gunfire. It was here the surgeon would tend the wounded during action. When Nelson was wounded he was taken down to the Orlop Deck. He survived long enough to learn the outcome of the battle. Today you can see Nelson Memorial and the painting The Death of Nelson by Arthur Devis in 1806, that is one of finest Naval prints in the UK.

More information:

HMS Victory is berthed in No 2 Dry Dock of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and opposite National Museum of Royal Navy. You can see HMS Victory in a distance particularly from Spinnaker Tower, so it’s hard to miss. A ticket will need to be purchased from the Dockyard Visitor Centre. You can buy a single attraction ticket or all inclusive ticket that provides you one entry to HMS Victory. When you take the tour around HMS Victory you will be given an introduction leaflet that spot the tour highlights. Also there are knowledgeable guides around HMS Victory to answer your questions. You can also buy HMS Victory model ships at the shops in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

My opinion:

My first impression of HMS Victory was like to meet a mysterious lady. I was surprised to see the main colours of HMS Victory: dull black and yellow ochre( same as I saw on pictures of HMS Victory). I think the colours of HMS Victory is very stylish even at today. HMS Victory model ships is a perfect souvenir you can get at your HMS Victory tour.

To me HMS Victory tour is a unique experience of life in the 18th century navy. Although I agree history is usually written by those who win I still consider that HMS Victory is the best known and best loved ship in Britain and the sign of the golden age of British naval power; it’s a proud memorial to Vice Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson, Britain's greatest Naval hero. So if you are interested in British Navy history, come to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard; if you want to know more about the Battle of Trafalgar and Nelson's inspired leadership, board on HMS Victory ship to start a fantastic HMS Victory tour.

For more articles about Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, please visit:

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard------the Glory of British Naval history

HMS Warrior 1860------ One of the Most Famous British Warships

Mary Rose Museum------ The Only Surviving 16th Century Tudor Warship