H.M.S. VICTORY.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17742, 19 April 1923, Page 7

H.M.S. VICTORY.

A GENEROUS DONATION. (FEOM OUB OWS COBEESPOHMQIT.) LONDON, March SV A few months ago, as New Zealanders are aware, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Doveton Sturdee launched an appeal for funds to save H.M.S. Victory for the nation, the minimum sum needed being £150,000. The idea of the committee who have the matter in hand is not only to put the ship in a sound, durable condition, but to restore it to something of its original beauty.

Until two days ago, welcome donations in small amounts only were arriving, the largest one being for £IOO, but the sum received did not' justify a start being, made. Then an anonymous donor came forward, placing at the disposal of the committeo the sum of £50,00(T so that the work might be proceeded with. Sir Doveton Sturdee again tells the public about the scheme for saving this historic ship —the fifth of the name—and her history. Laid down at Chat-, ham in 1759, the Victory began her career before the constitution of the United States, before Australia was' thought of as a white man's domain, and when South Africa belonged to the Dutch. "She is the last survivor of. those wooden ships which won the Empire," says the Admiral. "Shesaw, 34 years of war; she flew the flags of fourteen admirals, including those 'of Nelson, St. Vincent, Hood, and Keppal. Of her many.victories, Trafalgar was the greatest. , In 1815 she went into harbour at Portsmouth, and all naval recruits at this principal recruiting etatio.j have been the Victory's men. After many years in a tidal waterway, wherp she became badly strained, she is now in dry dock. This it is hoped will be her permanent home, and if she can be saved and restored to her first appearance, she should serve as a constant stimulus to patriotism here and throughout the Empire. "Since Trafalgar the bows and stern have been altered; the masts, rigging, upper works, and guns have been removed; indeed, she has no . gun-deck now. It was in 1820 that she was al"tered to suit the necessities of her work as flagship. The present straight stern does' not allow anyone to realise the beautiful quarter-galleries she once possessed. We want, if we can, "to restore her looks to the Trafalgar period. She would be worth preserving in this way if only- as a specimen of naval architecture in the 18th century. It is because the Victory is the ship of memories tha'r friends of the fund make their wide appeal. We want every boy and girl in the Empire to give something. If it is only a penny, it will be an education in patriotism. The Victory represents, as nothing else can, the wooden -walls of England. They existed before Britain.. Without them there wmld ;«»w been no Greater Britain. .; The -./ Victory, ought to Ibe safe in; and gratitude of the people,'* .