For many decades it has been believed that HMS Victory was permanently dry-docked in No. 2 Dock, Portsmouth on the 12th January 1922 due to her condition deteriorating to the extent that she could no longer safely remain afloat. However, new photos have come to light that show HMS Victory was afloat for Navy Week in 1933.
‘Navy Week’ is a tradition in Portsmouth that dates back to 1927, allowing the public the opportunity to see the pride of the modern Royal Navy as well as explore their naval heritage, and this year’s ‘Navy Days’, taking place 30th July – 1st August at Portsmouth Naval Base, is no exception!
It seems that in 1933, to celebrate Navy Week, HMS Victory sailed from No. 3 Basin and around the coastline, with a reduced crew of 18 naval officers.
Matthew Sheldon, Head of the Curatorial Department at the National Museum of the Royal Navy, found the evidence whilst researching the history of Navy Days and commented:
“The first reference I found came from a young officer’s journal kept onboard HMS Hood which said, ‘The entire Gunroom has had the good fortune to be appointed to the … Victory, which is due to sail for a fortnight’s cruise.’ A certain amount of towing was required, but the ship then sailed as far as Dover, with the officer saying, ‘the greatest advantage gained in this fortnight is the unique experience of how a square-rigged ship – especially the old heavy bluff-bowed type - was handled’. I then turned the page and found these amazing pictures apparently showing the ship under sail.”
It was originally believed that HMS Victory was moved into her final resting place 88 years ago, of No. 2 Dock, His Majesty’s Dockyard Portsmouth, and the work of preservation and reversing many decades of neglect began, making it the magnificent sight that greets visitors to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard today.
HMS Victory was launched in 1765 at Chatham Dockyard and was commissioned in 1778. She continued in active service for the next 34 years, including her most famous moment - the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, under the command of Vice Admiral Lord Nelson. In 1812 the Victory was retired from frontline duty and anchored in Portsmouth Harbour, following a warrant from Thomas Hardy (Captain of Victory during the Battle of Trafalgar, now First Sea Lord) at his wife’s request, to save the ship from disposal.
For the next 110 years HMS Victory remained at her moorings in Portsmouth Harbour fulfilling a combination of practical and ceremonial roles. In 1922, amid fears for her continued survival and following a national appeal led by the Society for Nautical Research, Victory was put into her present dock and work began to restore her to her 1805 appearance. She remains now as the embodiment of the spirit and fine traditions of the Royal Navy.
HMS Victory is still in commission as the flagship of the Second Sea Lord in his role as Commander in Chief of the Royal Navy''s Home Command. She is the oldest commissioned warship in the world, attracting around 350,000 visitors per year in her role as a museum ship and although visitors to this year’s Navy Days won’t be able to see her afloat as they did in 1933, they can clamber aboard the magnificent vessel.
Further information on Navy Days, including ticket details, is available from www.navydaysuk.co.uk
The accompanying image is courtesy of the National Museum of the Royal Navy.
