Plan launched to help stop Nelson’s flagship sinking under own weight
MULTI-MILLION-POUND WORKS are under way to create a new cradle for Nelson’s flagship HMS Victory to prevent it sagging under its own weight.
A total of 134 15ft adjustable steel props are being fitted at a cost of £3m to support the 252-year-old ship in the same way as if it was sitting in water.
A spokeswoman for Portsmouth Historic Dockyard explained: “HMS Victory has been sitting in a dry dock in Portsmouth since 1922 supported by 22 steel cradles positioned six metres apart.
“It has been well documented that the 252-year-old ship is creeping under her own weight and following a detailed laser scan of 89.25 billion measurements and computer modelling, a new support system has been designed to mimic how the ship would sit in water.
“Rather than the existing steel ‘blades’ which are placing considerable strain on the hull structure, these will be replaced by 134 15-foot adjustable steel props fitted over two levels.
“This will completely revolutionise the support system and share the ship’s 2,000-tonne load between them.
“Each prop is telescopic and features a cell monitoring the load around the clock and which is easily adjusted.”
The 18-month project, being carried out by BAE Systems, follows £40 million refurbishment works which began in 2011 which have included removing the masts and yards before work to prevent water ingress and reduce rot, repainting of the ship’s hull and refurbishing Hardy’s Cabin and the Great Cabin.
A new walkway for visitors was also installed enabling access to more of the ship, along with a new fire detection and fire suppression system.
The National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN) now owns and operates the ship.
Professor Dominic Tweddle, director general of the NMRN, added: “Victory is possibly the most famous ship in the world. She remains a commissioned ship and the flagship of the First Sea Lord.”
Victory is possibly the most famous ship in the world. Professor Dominic Tweddle.