Nelson & His World

Good News




http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/HM ... 6701226.jp

Thanks, P-C.

I was just about to post the same bit of good news.

I was appalled, though, to read in the clip that it was not simply the passing of time but also shoddy maintenance that contributed to Victory's poor state. What a pity that the repair team had so little pride in their work. I don't know who is responsible for commissioning repairs: do they use MOD staff or can they outsource the work to reliable firms? If the latter, they could do worse than consult the National Trust. They are great upholders and supporters of craftsmanship of all kinds and could surely point them in the right direction to find restorers of the right calibre for this task.

This is perhaps alarming, but before we all jump on the bandwagon of condemnation, I'm not sure the reality is not quite as black as it is painted and there may even be a little more of the hype in this report that we have mentioned before.

Don't forget also that the maintainance of the Victory in dry dock has been ongoing since 1922, through the Society for Nautical Research and the Victory Technical Advisory Committee, who over the years have probably learnt more than anyone the state of the structure of ship and the problems involved in her day to day running and upkeep. Nobody can deny that finance and maintainance have always been problematic, but this has to be set against other considerations over the years, including changes of government and all that that entails, two World Wars and other conflicts which obviously have priority, periods of financial constraint, difficulties with the available manpower, and even lack of suitable materials. Against all that, I'm not sure they haven't done too badly!

It should also be pointed out that much of the evidence of this decay has been discovered through modern methods, such as the use of laser technology, which wasn't available of course in earlier years. However, by such means faulty timbers can be now pinpointed much more accurately and I am sure the VTAC are already on it.

As regards the maintainance staff, so far as I know, the Victory already has a dedicated and experienced body already in place and has had for many years. I would think they are doing a good job! As to the enterprise being given to the National Trust, I'm not sure they would be the right body for heading it – to begin with their work is with stately homes and the like and I doubt they know much about ships.

Ten years to restore Victory will bring it up to 2021/2 and should be in time for the 100th anniversary of her drydocking.

Anna Tribe, direct descendant of Lord Nelson adds her support for the refit:

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/An ... 6702372.jp

The MOD is set to submit a tender to restore HMS Victory. There is to be an open competition for the job:


http://www.supplymanagement.com/news/20 ... s-victory/

Anna,

Good to know, but I was surprised by the last paragraph. Is it planned to move Victory somewhere else – or was the sentence totally uneccessary?

Very necessary - most people probably think she is in Trafalgar Square.

Actually, it would be wonderful to see her moved, as the only way it could be done is by floating her. That would also solve half the problems with her structure by properly supporting her hull, and the natural swelling of the planking in the water would tighten up all the joints and make her more waterproof. That's how wooden ships work, but sadly journalists don't understand this.

Tony,

True and that's often the solution for a small wooden boat, but the Victory? Whilst it would good to see her afloat again and some of the problems may perhaps be solved by putting her back in the briny, I'm not sure they all would – and anyway, who would be brave enough to risk it! I would imagine that if for some reason they were going to move her (and a lot of people in Chatham think she should return there!) they would use a pontoon, á la Great Britain. However, I somehow don't think that is going to arise.

Having said the above, I wonder if it would be possible to float her in the dry dock, if the more serious problems can be sorted out, like the Trincomalee in Hartlepool. After all, if man can get to the moon...

I'm sure you are right, Kester. I did only say it would solve half the problems with her structure.

Here is some comment on the Victory's conservation from the Society for Nautical Research and Jonathan Coad, chairman of the Victory Advisory Technical Committee: http://www.snr.org.uk/news/Victory_conservation.pdf

I think it puts some of the sensationalist and alarmist reporting into perspective, although he actually underplays the enormous amount of time, effort and technical expertise that has gone into monitoring the movements in the hull in order to design an improved cradle to support it.

Tony,

Thanks for posting that. It made interesting reading and should hopefully put fears at rest somewhat.

An update on Victory's restoration:

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/ ... victory.do

Anna,

Interesting. It would be really interesting, and perhaps speak volumes, if he were going to make a suit of sails as well!