Nelson & His World

Work started this week on dismantling the Victory's masts and rigging as a start to the 10 year restoration project, although the contract for the rest of the work and future maintenance has not yet been awarded.

BBC news: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-14131279

Here are some videos of the removal of the fore topgallant yard and fore topsail yard - don't watch if you suffer from vertigo:

Fore topgallant yard:


Fore topsail yard:


Time lapse:


I bet they did it quicker in 1805 without a crane...

Tony,

Very interesting, thanks. I noticed a lot of weathering up there, probably courtesy of acid rain etc.
As you say back in 1805 they would have done it a lot faster, with a trained crew used to doing this sort of thing all the time and to whom it was second nature. The also weren't governed by any 'health and safety' rules – only seamanlike common sense!