VICTORY TO REMAIN IN DOCK

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 7, 8 July 1922, Page 12

VICTORY TO REMAIN IN DOCK

In view of indications of deterioration in the" hull of His Majesty!s ship Victory,, the Board of Admiralty caused a careful survey"' of the ship to be made in. dock in 'His Majesty's Dockyard, Portsmouth. , .■-.'.'

It has been ascertained, an official announcement proceeds,' that a large sum would require to be spent on the hull alone in order to; enable the ship to be refloated, and the signs of decay which are -apparent are such that .no repairs which could be carried out now would be sufficient to prolong "the life of : the ship, if replaced .in the water, for more than a limited period. The board has therefore decided that the ship shall re-main-in the dock where she now lies, and that sncli work shall be carried out on her as is. absolutely necessary for her safety. The board has also considered the suggestion which--has been-made to it that His Majesty's ship Victory should be restored to her original rig— '■ namely,- as she fought at Trafalgar—but the cost of so doing would amount to such a large figure (about £160,000) that it would be impossible for this money to be provided but of Navy votes..

The board has further decided that visitors may be allowed on board His Majesty's ship Victory as,soon as the completion of the work makes it practicable for them to visit her, and arrangements will bo made,, if possible, that tho. - boatmen, who. formerly earned an income by taking out visitors to the vessel 'when in the. stream at : Portsmouth shall. bo permitted, if-they so desire, to conduct visitors .over the vessel in the dock.