H.M.S. VICTORY.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 April 1923, Page 1

H.M.S. VICTORY.

A t.i UNFROCK DONATION. LONDON. March 8. A few mouths ago. as New Zealanders are aware. Admiral of die Fleet Sir Duvcton Suudee launched an appeal for funds Lo save H.M.S. Victory for tic- nation, the minimum sum needed being £LS:I.<W. The idea, of the committee who have the matter in hand is nut only to put the ship in a. sound, durable eonditir.ii, hut to restore it to

I • itii- 1 !:i11lt of it, original beauty. ('mil two days ago. welcome duiialions in small amounts only worn arriving. the largest oik being for £lim. lint tlio sum ivi . ived did not justify start lining made. Thou an anonymous donor came forward, planing at the dispo.-.al of the committee the sum of 250.0R0 so that the work might he proceeded with. Sir Dovnton Sturdce again tells the pul.lie about the scheme for saving the historic ship—the fifth of the name—and her history. Laid down at Chatham in 1750. the Victory began her career helore the constitution of the United States, before Australia was thought of as a white man’s domain, and when South Africa belonged to the Dutch. "She is the last survivor of those wooden ships which won the Umpire,” says the Admiral. ‘‘She saw 31 years of war; she flew the flags ol fourteen admirals, including those of Nelson, St. Vincent, Hood, and Keppal. Of her many victories, Trafalgar was the grente-t. In I sis she wonl into harhoiir at Port -mouth, and all naval recruits at this principal recruiting station have hecu the \ ietory’s m.-u. After many years in a tidal waterway, where -lie became badly strained, she i- now in dry dock. This it is hoped nil! ho her permanent home, and if she can he saved and restored to her fir si appearance, she should serve as ;; constant stimulus to patriotism Ia -! e and throughout the Umpire. ‘‘.Since Trafalgar l he hows and stern have been altered - the iliasts, rigging, upper works, ami guns have been removed ; indeed, she inis iiu gun-deck iioa . It was in |sg!i ihat she was altered to suit the necessities of her work as flagship. The present straight, -.tern does not ailow anyone to realise the beautiful quarter-galleries she oncepossessed. Wo want, i.l wo can, to restore her looks to the Trafalgar period. She would he wort!) preserving in this nay if only as a specimen i naval an hite-lure in the Dili century. It is hecause the Victory is the shiji of memories that friends of the fund make their wide appeal. We v.r.nt every hoy ami girl ill the Umpire to give something. If it is only a penny, it will be an education in patriotism. The Victory represents, a i; nothing else can, the wooden walls of England. They existed helore Britain. Without them there would have been ro Creater Britain. The Victory ought to he safe in the affection and gratitude of Uic people.”