WORLD’S OLDEST WARSHIP

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 80, 28 December 1929, Page 8

WORLD’S OLDEST WARSHIP

IMPLACABLE’S FINAL FATE IN THE BALANCE Dominion Special Service. London, November 14. The Implacable, which we captured from the French a few days after the decisive victory at Trafalgar on November 4, 1805, has a proud record, but is now in. danger. At that date she was known as the Dugay Trouin, and under that name she was one of the first of the enemy vessels to empty her guns into Nelson’s flagship in the memorable battle which cleared the seas of our foes. When taken she was rechristened the Implacable, and ever since has been doing her bit in some sort of service. She took part in the Battle of the Baltic in 1907, and afterwards was for long in the Mediterranean, where she was regarded as the cock of the fleet. Even to-day her capabilities are not ended, for up to 1908 she formed part of the Lion Training Establishment at Plymouth. Condemned then to be sold, she was spared “for preservation.” Lord Beatty next came upon the scene, and as a result of his appeal sufficient funds were forthcoming to rfestore her and fit her out as a holiday training ship for boys. For the past two summers this has been the lot of what is admitted to be the oldest warship in the world. On the ground alone of history, not to speak of sentiment, it would be a thousand pities were she to be permitted to fall into the hands of the “knackers," but unless money is forthcoming for her endowment and upkeep, this must inevitably be her final fate. The Admiralty is powerless in the matter of pecuniary assistance, so it is left to the public to save this memorable and picturesque survival of the old wooden walls which are so intimately bound up with our national story and greatness. As an inspiration to the rising generation she is worth keeping up, and there should be little difficulty in raising the money to preserve the only survivor of her class extant. A fund has been set afoot, and it rests with the public to make it the success it deserves to be.