©
2003 JoTiKa Ltd.
1
H.M.S. V
ICTORY
1805
After more than two years of extensive research and development, using information and sources previously unavailable, this
is the most historically accurate, highly detailed model of Victory in her Trafalgar condition available.
Forever associated with Nelson's last battle, H.M.S. Victory is one of the most famous ships of all time, and is now preserved
as a major part of the Royal Naval Museum in Portsmouth. The ship's survival is particularly appropriate since Victory is not
only an example of the ultimate sailing warship ~ the three decker First Rate ~ but she was also the most popular and
successful 100-Gun ship of the period.
Forty years old by the time of Trafalgar (1805), she had been the flagship of half a dozen Admirals, and was to continue in
active service until 1812.
This was not the first ship of the Royal Navy to bear the name Victory; there were in fact four predecessors:
1. The first Victory was built in 1559. In 1586, she was rebuilt to 800 tons and carried 34 guns with a crew of 750. At the
defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, she was the flagship of Sir John Hawkins.
2. Phineas Pett designed the second Victory. She was built at Deptford and launched in 1620. Rebuilt in 1666 to 1029 tons and
carried 42 guns and a crew of 500.
3. The Royal James of 1675 was renamed the third Victory in 1691. She was rebuilt in 1695 to 1486 tons and carried 100 guns
and a crew of 754.
4. The fourth Victory suffered a tragic fate. Launched in 1737, she was of 1920 tons, carried 100 guns and had a crew of 900.
She was lost during a gale while off the Casquets in October 1744. Her whole crew perished with her ~ this tragedy caused the
name Victory to be deleted, temporarily, from the Admiralty's list of ship names.
This, the fifth Victory, was one of twelve ships ordered by the Navy Board on June 6th 1759 ~ more than 40 years before the
battle of Trafalgar for which she is famed. Designed by Sir Thomas Slade, construction began at Chatham Dockyard on July
23rd 1759, the 'marvellous year' (Annus Mirabilis). This, the year of victories, marked the turning point of the 'seven years war'
for Britain. These facts may well have played a significant part in the naming of the vessel and the name Victory being restored
to the Admiralty list of ships.
As with all of our models, Victory has been designed using the latest CAD/CAM technology. With this versatility, continual
refinements can be made to ensure the model matches the most recent research available.
Nelsons’ Prayer:
In the hours before the battle of Trafalgar, Nelson, in the Great Cabin onboard Victory composed the following prayer:
“May the Great God, whom I worship, grant to my Country and for the benefit of Europe in general, a great and glorious
victory: and may no misconduct, in any one, tarnish it: and may humanity after victory be the predominant feature in the
British Fleet.
For myself individually, I commit my life to Him who made me and may His blessing light upon my endeavours for serving
my Country faithfully. To Him I resign myself and the just cause which is entrusted to me to defend.
Amen, Amen, Amen.”
At approximately 13:15 this same day, Nelson was struck by a musket shot fired from the French Ship Redoubtable. As Nelson
died some three hours later he was heard to say:
“Thank God, I have done my duty.”
