Feel the thrill of life on the high seas
As HMS Victory marks 100 years as a visitor attraction, Kate Jamieson reveals why the world’s historic ships are worth crossing oceans for
FThe Mary Rose had a long history before it capsized at the Battle of the Solent
or many of us, the sea inspires romantic thoughts – of standing on windswept decks listening to the creak of rope and the snap of billowing sails, of heroic action in battle, harsh conditions and sea shanties. Much of the world we live in today was shaped by our relationship with the sea, and with those who served on the vessels that sailed it.
Though the majority have sadly been lost, some of these historic ships have been preserved for future generations, often converted to museums and offering a deeper insight into life on board. Visiting them makes a fascinating addition to any holiday, whether you have children to entertain, or a restless history buff craving a day off the beach.
HMS VICTORY Portsmouth, UK
HMS Victory – which today marks the centenary of its dry-docking – remains the oldest commissioned warship in the world. A tour of this beautiful first-rate ship of the line will introduce stories of the men who served and life onboard. It has an illustrious history and a long list of battle honours, the most famous of these being the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, where it served as Horatio Nelson’s flagship in the defeat of the combined French and Spanish fleets.
HMS Victory (nmrn.org.uk/hms-victory) is open daily, 10am-5pm, with tickets costing from £24 adult/£19 child. Somerset House Hotel (02392 008222; somersethousehotel.co.uk) has double rooms from £59 a night
MARY ROSE Portsmouth, UK
Raised from the seabed in 1982, the Mary Rose is the only ship of her kind in the world. Often mistakenly referred to as the ship that sank on her maiden voyage, the Mary Rose actually had a long history before it mysteriously capsized at the Battle of the Solent in 1545. The museum is full of incredible finds salvaged from the seabed, giving a fascinating insight into life in the Tudor navy. Children will particularly enjoy meeting the ship’s dog, Hatch.
The Mary Rose (maryrose.org) is open daily, 10am-5pm. You can easily combine a visit with a trip to HMS
Victory, with a range of ticket options available. Portsmouth Village hotel (02392 006245; village-hotels.co.uk) has double rooms from £65 a night
USS MIDWAY San Diego, California
The longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century, with a career spanning 47 years, the USS Midway took part in both the evacuation of Saigon and Operation Desert Storm. There are more than 60 exhibits throughout the decks of the ship and more than 30 aircraft and helicopters, as well as a number of activities for all ages, from guided tours to flight simulators (particularly good for teenagers), and there are regular events – including Top Gun movie nights. If you want something a little more traditional, San Diego is also home to HMS Surprise, used in the filming of Master and Commander (2003).
The USS Midway (midway.org) is open daily, 10am-4pm, with tickets costing £19/£13 ($26/$18). The Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter (00 1 619 231 4040; hilton.com) has double rooms from £139 a night
The RRS Discovery was the first vessel to be constructed specifically for scientific research. Taking three years of supplies, a troupe of officers, scientists and crew – including the explorers Robert Scott and Ernest Shackleton – set off to Antarctica in 1901, walking further south than any humans had done before, even discovering the first breeding colony of emperor penguins. The ship was used for two further expeditions, and is now preserved at Discovery Point for old and young explorers alike. While in Dundee, you could also combine your trip with a
visit to HMS Unicorn (frigateunicorn. org), one of the six oldest ships in the world.
Visiting RRS Discovery (rrsdiscovery. co.uk) costs £9.95/£5.50. The ship is open daily, 10am-5pm. Malmaison Dundee (01382 339715; malmaison. com) has doubles from £60 a night
VASA Stockholm, Sweden
One of the most beautiful and powerfully armed ships in the world at the time, the Vasa sank 1,400 yards into her maiden voyage in 1628, in full view of the king. The cause? A combination of factors including a strong gust of wind. It wasn’t until 333 years later that it was finally salvaged, and it now sits in Stockholm as the world’s best preserved 17th-century ship, within an incredibly well laid out museum. There is something for children and adults alike, including a superb activity trail.
The Vasa (vasamuseet.se) is open daily, 10am-5pm. Prices start at £13 for adults (entry is free for under 18s). The Hotel Hasselbacken (00 46 8 121 33300; hasselbacken.com) has double rooms from £82
Sydney, Australia
Though not strictly a historic ship, the replica of HMB Endeavour is one of the world’s most accurate. Built from original plans, the Endeavour is part of the Australian National Maritime Museum and provides a glimpse into life during Captain Cook’s first voyage of discovery. Time your visit right and you can head out to sea on her.
The museum (sea.museum) is open daily, 9.30am-5pm. Prices start at £13/£8. The Star Sydney (00 61 2 9777 9000; star. com.au) has doubles from £134 a night