Her Majesty’s Ship Victory is the only surviving naval warship that represents the skill of naval dockyard shipwrights, ship designers and the industrial ability of Britain during the mid 18th century.
More than this the Victory is equally a classic example of warship construction techniques used by all maritime powers of that period including Denmark, France, Holland and Spain, also the lesser naval powers of Russia, Naples, Sweden and Turkey.
Besides her historic role serving as Admiral Lord Nelson’s flagship at the battle of Trafalgar, the Victory stands in the line of technical advances made between the 16th century Tudor warship Mary Rose, the Victorian built iron warship Warrior of the mid 19th century and the steel built monitor M33 of the early 20 century.
Simply just a manoeuvrable floating weapons platform, the Victory is likewise historically comparable with the modern naval warships of the 21st century.
Use this website to delve into HMS Victory's amazing history and find out more about her unique place in maritime heritage.

 Building HMS Victory - In July 1759, Mr Edward Allen, Master Shipwright of Chatham Dockyard received a letter from the Principal Officers and Commissioners of the Admiralty directing him: "To make preparation and to prepare costing for a First-Rate Ship of 100 guns, to be built and fitted for sea at Chatham".

 Decks - 8 separate decks make up HMS Victory. Find out how each one serves it's necessary purpose.

 Weapons - HMS Victory was a First Rate Ship of the Line. This means that she had to have at least 100 guns-in fact at the time of Trafalgar she had 104.

 Manning - It took over 800 men to crew a ship like HMS Victory. Find out more about the roles some of the men held on board.

 History - HMS Victory was launched in 1765 at Chatham Dockyard and was commissioned in 1778. She continued in active service for the next 34 years which included her most famous moment-the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

 Reference - Did you know that if you laid the rigging from HMS Victory out end to end it would stretch for 26 miles? That’s the length of the Channel Tunnel!

 Trafalgar Roll - Were your ancestors at the Battle of Trafalgar? You can find out by searching the Trafalgar Roll to find out more about the crew of HMS Victory at this famous battle.

 Captains & Admirals - All ships have Commanding Officers, they are the captains and are responsible for that particular ship and its crew. Flag Officers are Admirals and are in charge of whole fleets of ships.

 News - Catch up on all the recent news from HMS Victory and keep up to date with events, developments and occasions...