HMS Victory

[Firefly]

Have any of the Gentlemen ever visited HMS Victory in Portsmouth? Something i've always meant to do, must get round to it at some stage..........

[John]

I went as a kid, and I remember being bored, as there was nothing on it except 'figureheads'. I hope its changed.

[Nick]

Likewise I went many years ago. I remember it was ok, but I felt it was a bit false, very restored and it was pretty strict as to where you could go and what you could see. Things may have changed although.

Nick
Chairman

[Guest John Sukey]

Went there several years ago. The odd thing I remember was the figureheads in the yard. What struck me was the one of Nelson, with BOTH eyes visible!
Just for fun, lets have a race between the Constitution and the Victory!!

For the year 2000 the money would have been better spent getting the Victory seaworthy than wasting it on that plastic whale on the thames (millenium dome)

[John]

I'm stunned that you don't enjoy that completely over rated leaking waste of vast amounts of public money which could have gone to better causes!
And as for Lord Nelson, he must have two eyes at some stage in his life.....

[Nick]

Nelson lost the sight in his right eye at the bombardment of Calvi in 1794

[John]

But why would they have made a figure head of him before he was made famous?

[Firefly]

Slightly off topic, but from i what i recall of Portsmouth when i was there it was a right dump. I was waiting for a ferry to Le Havre at the time and was rather the worse for wear on the old grog, hence no visit to Victory. Won't be rushing back.... :food-smiley-004:

[Guest John Sukey]

I'm stunned that you don't enjoy that completely over rated leaking waste of vast amounts of public money which could have gone to better causes!

If they could have figured how to invert it and add a water tank, they could have had the worlds largest W.C.

They even had one hell of a time finding a buyer. Of course the government had "educate the people" instead of entertain them, so it lost even more money. they would have been better off letting Eurodisney run the thing. The money they poured into that could have really done some good if spent on the NHS or the police.

The couldn't even get it open on time for the Queen!!!!!

[woodbine]

Hello,

A few years back I had the pleasure of visiting the Portsmouth Naval Yards, boarded H.M.S. Victory and was very impressed with the whole set up. I sure gave me a sense of what life in the service of The Royal Navy was like back then. I was in awe when walking on the lower gun decks, and just for a moment trying to get a feeling of the action that would have taken place in the course of heated engagement (Smell of gunpowder, noise of cannon fire, the smoke, splintered oak, the dead and wounded) in such a place. To me it was well worth the time spent there. I was also most impressed with the restoration of the Mary Rose and the artifacts recouvered that are on display.

Woodbine,

Canada

[Nick]

I revisited Portsmouth including the Dockyard and HMS Victory a few weeks ago. This followed a wedding onboard HMS Warrior which was an awesome place to hold a wedding wub.gif

I have to say despite the rushed tour on Victory I was really impressed with the whole set up down there and the Royal Naval Museum was excellent, far superior to the Naval Museum At Greenwich which was pretty poor (mind you the Nelson area was being done up for a new exhibition, which would have made the trip worthwhile I am sure).

I have also been on USS Constitution, but I have to say for me HMS Victory beat it hands down

The odd thing I remember was the figureheads in the yard. What struck me was the one of Nelson, with BOTH eyes visible!

That because Nelson only lost the sight in one eye, he did not lose his eye and contrary to popular myth he did not wear an eye patch.

[Craig]

What about the theory that the damage to his eye also caused brain damage resulting in his strange behaviour with that notorious Tom Emma Hamilton. The sad thing in his diary before Trafalagar he says "I will never see poor Merton again" He was lucky I work there and it is a total toilet now

[Dick Pumphrey]

Hi Nick,

With all due respect, I have to add that your countrymen had a much different opinion of our "Old Ironsides" back during the War of 1812!

Cheers,

Dick

[Nick]

You misconstrue me. I am talking about them as places to visit, it was not some cheap shot across the bows. HMS Victory is an amazing sight to visit. Do not get me wrong USS Constitution has an important place in Naval history and is the oldest warship afloat. It also makes for a very interesting tour. But you can't compare a frigate to a 1st Rate ship of the line, (which was also importantly Nelson flagship at Trafalgar).

If you enjoyed USS Constitution all I will say is go and visit HMS Victory before making your mind up.

As for 1812 war, well by that time, behemoths such as Victory were starting to be assigned to the scrap yard. The 1812 war certainly started to re shape Naval warfare and USS Constitution and other the Ironsides certainly seriously outgunned and outsailed their Royal Navy counterparts. It gave the Royal Navy a bloody nose on several occasions losing several ships, HMS Guerriere, HMS Macedonian, & HMS Java to name but three. But USS President, Chesapeake and Essex also met their match.

But like the war of 1812 there are no winners in this game, so each to his own

[Dick Pumphrey]

I am so sorry. I promise that I did not take your statement as,"a cheap shot". You are very right to think as you do about HMS Victory. She is wonderful, beautiful and very important to history. I am so glad that both "She" and Constitution have survived and are still here for us to enjoy. My statement was only in an effort to "support our side and our ship". Please understand that we Americans are as proud of Constitution as you are of Victory.

[Nick]

Dick

No offence taken, no need to apologise.

We are both proud of our Naval Past as should be the other great sailing nations of the world Viz: France and Spain.

[yank44]

"The only traditions of the Royal Navy are rum, sodomy, and the lash. " Anthony Montaugue-Brown, assistant to Winston Churchill

Edited December 3, 2006 by yank44

[Ralph A]

Have any of the Gentlemen ever visited HMS Victory in Portsmouth?

Didn't have to. It came to me.

[Ralph A]

Here are the rest of the napkin rings. They make for some interesting conversation at dinner parties.

[Dick Pumphrey]

Hi Ralph,

Those are wonderful napkin rings. I've never seen anything like them. Very nice and thanks for adding them to the thread. Lot's of history there!

Regards,

Dick

[Firefly]

Ralph, WHERE DID YOU GET THOSE?!!!!

Superb, what a conversation piece!

Amos.