THE VICTORY.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 February 1922, Page 4

THE VICTORY.

NELSON/S FLAGSHIP MAY BE | MOVED. j * LONDON, Dec. , 12. It, is more, than a possibility that Portsmouth Harbour may lose its chief glory ami tliat> a- presence which has ruled over it for nearly a hundred years may be removed. A survey made recent! by order of the Admiralty has revealed that Nelson’s flagship, the old and beautiful Victory, is in so ageworn a condition that it may be necessary to place her permanently in the ' retirement of a. small.dock. It -las, been j known for some years that her timbers ■ have’ aged to such an extent that if I she were put .into dry dock it would ’be impossible to refloat her. Ihe pre- ] sent proposal is that she should be put ; into a small dock, and fitted wit-i a i cradle constructed to hold her-hull .to* • gother. ! Cared for in this fashion,, it .is be- ! lieved that the ship might last for many more years, but it is if she | would "hold together much longer if left * to swing at anchor at her present moorings. It nius be understood, however, ; that she is in no immediate danger, and ! n<> linal decision as to her future will *he announced until the fullest con- ': si deration has been given to the report . on her condition. The Victory was launched at. Chatham •in 1765, and was partly rebuilt in 1 1802-3 at Chatham. Three years later, 1 ! on November ‘2‘2nd, 1805 she returned 1 to Chatham from the Battle of Trafab , ! <;ar. bringing with her Nelson’s body. ' Tn 1824 she became the flagship of the l admiral commanding at Portsmouth, C and there she has remained practically 1 , ever since.