NELSON’S VICTORY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16984, 7 March 1923, Page 7

NELSON’S VICTORY.

BIG FUND TO SAVE THE FLAGSHIP. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received March 7, 9 a.m.) LONDON. March 6. An anonymous Avell-wisher of the Navy has sent £50,000 to the fund to save Nelson’s Victory. Admiral Sturdee is receiving smaller subscriptions from all parts of the Empire, and also gifts of a few shillings subscribed by school children. The restoration of Nelson’s flagship. Avhich lias been rotting at Portsmouth, has been taken up enthusiastically at I Home, and recently the King contributed £2O to the.fund. ’The Victory has remained in commission as flagship at Portsmouth, and may >till fly the flag. But half :.T her timbers are rotten. The Admiralty av ill provide support in the dock, but the public must do the rest. There is no intention hoav of restoring the bow as it formerly was. This would be too eostl*. . What is to be done is to bring back the ship as far as ma\ be to her appearance in Nelson’s days, '"he decks will be cleared arid restored, the masts ami yard? will be built- and hung as they were, new timber will replace what is rotten, the recessed stern AvilV be rebuilt, and the ship aa i ll be repainted in the Trafalgar manner. For this work a sum of about. £50,000 will he required. The Society for Nautical Research has been authorised by the Admiralty to raise ii fund to make :..ll plans for the restoration. The late Marquis of Alii ford Haven, president of the society, took the keenest interest in the work, and Ids successor, A Imiral of the Fleet Sir Do veto n Sturdee, is prosecuting it most zealously with wide support aim under the highest auspices.