Modern research has indicated that the current position where it is marked that Nelson died is most likely to be wrong. There are a number of firm and logical reasons that would lend themselves to the fact that the Admiral actually died about 20 feet further forward on the orlop deck.
Whilst it accepted that nobody can be absolutely sure exactly where Nelson passed away, the new memorial will be more sympathetic to the most probable position, without actually saying that 'this is the spot'.
The centre piece of the new memorial will be the Nelson stone which is currently being carved onboard by the renowned sculptor, Philip Chatfield. The stone that will make up the centre of the memorial is Limestone and has been obtained from a site about 20 miles inland from Cape Trafalgar in Spain. The stone will be mounted on oak timbers recovered from the ship during one of her refits. Thereafter it will be open to the public with the rest of the ship.
Commanding Officer of HMS Victory said: "This is a very special project for Victory and one that both recognises advances in historical research, but also maintains the reverence of that area of the ship where not only Nelson, but many other sailors and marines lost their lives in the defence of the United Kingdom.
The stone looks magnificent and will be a fitting and apt memorial to perhaps the greatest naval leader this world has ever known. But the memorial is not just about the one man, it is about all the others that paid the ultimate price, both in combat and in the harsh conditions prevalent in those days".
On the same day replica drapes for Nelson's Cot which have been painstakingly and authentically recreated by the East Hants Federation of the Townswomen's Guilds will be handed over to the ship to ensure the interpretation of Nelson's life is continued.
