Victory was launched in 1765, but remained in Ordinary (reserve) until 1778 when she received her first commission. That same year she took part in the Battle of Ushant against the French fleet and afterwards needed slight repairs for battle damage.
This artist’s impression from about 1779 shows Victory’s original appearance a few years after launch. There are some significant differences from how she looks today. The artist has described her as His Majesty’s ship Victory, a First Rate carrying 116 guns and a crew of 960. She is shown sailing by the White Cliffs of Dover.
This is a painting of Victory in 1793. She flies a Union Jack on her bowsprit and a red ensign at the stern (back). She is also flying the flag of Lord Hood as Vice-Admiral of the Red, as she heads outward-bound with her squadron for the Mediterranean.
In 1797 Victory was found to be in a bad way. She was first re-fitted as a hospital ship and then very nearly became a prison hulk, which would have ended her sailing days. With the loss of the 98 gun Impregnable In 1799 it was decided instead to keep her sailing and she was sent for a large repair at Chatham.
Between 1800 & 1803 Victory underwent a large repair at Chatham. At the same time she was updated according to the latest instructions from the Navy Board. Her external appearance changed dramatically.
There were also many internal changes, including a properly designed sick bay. She was also painted with her now famous yellow and black streaks. When the work was finished, Victory must have looked more or less as she does today. It was this appearance that the restoration team decided to recreate in the 1920s.
By the early 1920s Victory’s condition was so bad it was decided she could no longer safely remain afloat. This photograph shows Victory in 1922 shortly after she was moved permanently into No. 2 dry dock.
Her external appearance has continued to change since the large repair of 1814 – 1816, and there have been a number of ugly additions. She looks nothing like the ship that Nelson knew at Trafalgar.
It is nearly 250 years since HMS Victory was launched. Given her great age, it is amazing that a large part of her structure is still original.
Present at Launch (1759 - 1765)
Present at Trafalgar (1805)
Modern (1923 to present day)Maintaining a ship of the size and scale of HMS Victory is no easy task. Add in the complexities of her age, her iconic status, and the desire to enable people to continue to visit her; leaves the National Museum of the Royal Navy’s conservation team with an unenviable series of challenges...
