HMS Victory

24/05/2022

Timeline photos

HMS Victory is undergoing a major new conservation phase that will offer visitors a once-in-a-generation experience.

Victory will go under wraps and be partially enclosed by temporary covered access. This will make the ship weathertight so she can start to dry out and conservation work, which will keep her protected for the next half-century, can begin.

Visitors will eventually be able to get up close to HMS Victory and see specialist shipwrights at work as a fascinating new visitor experience.

The nine-week phase of scaffolding is due to be complete in time for the summer holiday period, and access may be restricted for limited periods. Keep up to date with our social channels for more information if you’re planning on visiting.

19/08/2021

Beautiful pic by Dave Hartley 🤩

15/05/2021

Timeline photos

We can’t wait to welcome visitors back on Monday, they will see HMS Victory in a new light.

The main lower mast has been removed temporarily for condition assessment and conservation. But the ship remains FULLY OPEN plus we have an amazing new gallery which tells the story of this extraordinary survivor, and our stunning dry dock walkway.

In a highly complex three-day engineering challenge, the next crucial step in our 20-year conservation project was completed.

We know how strongly our visitors feel about Victory being without masts, but it is essential to complete this next stage of conservation, so she can remain open for the next 250 years.

To learn more about this incredible engineering feat read the full article: http://ow.ly/AqpU50EMUu1

12/08/2020

Photos from National Museum of the Royal Navy's post

21/10/2019

England expects that every man will do his duty.

There’s no other day in the Royal Navy calendar like Trafalgar Day – one of the most important moments for HMS Victory, the most-famous warship in the world. Still commissioned by the Royal Navy, a ceremony onboard on 21 October is held to mark the anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.

Britain’s wealth, prosperity and status as a nation were defined by this legendary battle and one which is still celebrated today.

While the skill of the crew and their renowned leader, Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson aided in victory – the battle is also tinged with sadness due to the death of Nelson himself.

24/08/2019

Answer to today's earlier question...

How heavy is HMS Victory?

HMS Victory is...

Option 2️⃣ 3556 tons - that's 57 Challenger 2 tanks or 281 buses

That's pretty heavy!

Want to learn a bit more about Victory?

Here's a brief history to get you started...

On 7th May 1765 HMS Victory was floated out of the Old Single Dock in Chatham's Royal Dockyard.

In the years to come, over an unusually long service, she would gain renown leading fleets in the American War of Independence, the French Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic War.

In 1805 she achieved lasting fame as the flagship of Vice-Admiral Nelson in Britain's greatest naval victory, the defeat of the French and Spanish at the Battle of Trafalgar.

For Victory, however, active service did not end with the loss of Nelson. In 1808 she was recommissioned to lead the fleet in the Baltic, but four years later she was no longer needed in this role, and she was relegated to harbour service - serving as a residence, flagship and tender providing accommodation.

In 1922 she was saved for the nation and placed permanently into dry dock where she remains today, visited by 25 million visitors as a museum of the sailing navy and the oldest commissioned warship in the world.

25/07/2019

23/07/2019

It's a big day for Victory today!

The oldest commissioned ship of the Royal Navy was laid down at Historic Dockyard Chatham in 1759 - that's 260 years ago!

In 1805 she took place in the and was where Nelson fell.

We're lucky to have such an incredible ship as part of our family of museums.

We're saying a big thank you to those past and present who are involved with her conservation and preservation for future generations to enjoy!

01/06/2019

On this day in 1923 it was the official inauguration of the restoration of HMS Victory in Portsmouth Dockyard. With the RM band of the ship Malaya playing 'Rule Britannia', Lady Fremantle, wife of Admiral Sir Sydney Fremantle, ceremonially lowered the supporting cherubs from the figurehead to allow work to start on restoring the bows to their Trafalgar aspect.

07/05/2019

🎂 Today is the 254th anniversary of the oldest commissioned warship in the world, HMS Victory. 🎂

She was floated out of the Old Single Dock at Chatham Dockyard on this day in 1765.

She’s had an incredible journey as Nelson’s flagship and her 40th year was spent at the Battle of Trafalgar.

She’s also where Nelson lost his life and you can see the spot where he fell on her top deck.

Now at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard she's ready to teach you all about key moments in British naval history! ⚓️

22/08/2018

Photos from National Museum of the Royal Navy's post

17/04/2018

The two-yearly task of repainting Victory is underway and it’s one of the first jobs for our newly-appointed ship painters, Ken Ferrett and Dave Bishop, who have joined the National Museum’s historic ships’ team.

It’s not as daunting as painting the Forth bridge, but the two-man team use 510 litres of top coat; 33 litres of undercoat and 50 tubes of filler and it will take four months to complete, working five days a week.

The painting preserves the structural integrity of the ship side. Three years ago the National Museum announced a historically accurate re-painting of Victory, in collaboration with expert conservators Crick Smith, University of Lincoln.

It was part of the most comprehensive and forensic programme of conservation work to be done on Victory since she was first installed in dry dock at the heart of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard in the 1920s.

Since then, visitors have seen the ship in the colours she was painted at the time of the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Careful research has shown that she was painted externally in a combination of pale yellow and dark grey at the time of her famous victory, when Admiral Lord Nelson was fatally wounded. It would have been the Captain, Thomas Hardy, Nelson’s trusted right-hand man, who was responsible for the painting of the ship. Being a man of restricted means, Hardy chose pigments supplied free of charge by the Royal Navy, including lead white and ochre.

20/02/2018

Today, The National Museum of the Royal Navy has revealed plans to invest £33 million in Portsmouth over the next two years which will bring a massive boost to the visitor economy.

Developing major new exhibitions and interpretation alongside finalising major museum projects are at the heart of the investment.

It follows the news of a record breaking year for visitor numbers and economic impact figures that state that Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, which is managed by the National Museum, brings £110million p.a. for Portsmouth.

Find out more about the announcement here: https://goo.gl/XPxTVc

28/09/2017

Don’t let the weather spoil your day out – with plenty to see and do, indoors and outdoors, seek out adventure wherever you go.

With your All Attraction ticket in hand, step onboard HMS Victory, the Royal Navy’s most famous warship. Take a self-guided tour around the vessel, as you explore the hidden depths and chambers onboard.

Why not visit our new exhibition: Pioneers to Professionals: Women and the Royal Navy? Learn about the fascinating history of the formation of the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS) as you take in the wonderful displays and stories on show.

Find out about Hannah Snell who disguised herself as a man to serve in the Royal Marines and many more naval heroes.

Save 20% when you buy your All Attraction ticket online here: https://goo.gl/G9U36p

22/08/2017

HMS Victory animation

HMS Victory animation

20/08/2017

Timeline photos

Lord Nelson's flagship HMS Victory meets her new 'little sister' HMS Queen Elizabeth.

The Royal Navy's largest ever vessel has just arrived at her new home in Portsmouth.

18/08/2017

Photos from Portsmouth Historic Dockyard's post

16/08/2017

25/06/2017

23/06/2017

09/06/2017

Nautical Research Support for HMS Victory Topped at £1million

Nautical Research Support for HMS Victory Topped at £1million

‘We are remarkably fortunate in having such generous and constant support in our task of ensuring the survival of this famous ship.” These are the wor...

28/05/2017

Navy Week At Portsmouth (1937)

Navy Week At Portsmouth (1937)

Full title reads: "NAVY WEEK AT PORTSMOUTH". Portsmouth, Hampshire. Royal Marines Band marching in front of Nelson's ship "Victory", playing. Various shots o...

13/05/2017

The Battle of Trafalgar painted by Jean-Yves Delitte for his comic book 'TRAFALGAR'.

http://www.glenatbd.com/bd/trafalgar-9782344012666.htm

11/05/2017

Photos from History Hit's post

01/04/2017

31/03/2017

Timeline photos

Time flies and it is high time to sign up to join the ship in the dock.
On the 24th of April the Swedish Ship Götheborg will be moved to Gotenius yard and on the 10th of May she will be moved back to the Pier again. During the time in the yard we will do maintenance of the hull. When the ship is back on the pier we will up rigg her and make her beautiful before the summers visitor activities start.

If you are interested to join as a volunteer please send an e-mail to [email protected]

More information: http://www.soic.se/en/volunteers/

06/03/2017

Photos from Portsmouth Historic Dockyard's post

29/01/2017

HMS Victory's upper gun deck: thirty 12-pounder cannon.

Pic by Maritime Photographic

23/01/2017

HMS Victory emerging from the fog...

Amazing picture by Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

21/01/2017

Magnificent Victory

Truly amazing that men could actually sail such an amazing work of art in all weathers and sea conditions. Hats off to the golden age of sail, the men who built such magnificent ships, and the iron sailors who manned them.

10/01/2017

Thank you Nick Robertson‎ for sending this photo of HMS Victory taken in December!

28/11/2016

The sun is setting down over HMS Victory...

Pic by : Portsmouth Historic Dockyard