HMS Victory: The Big Repair Information Hub

The work to Victory will focus on replacement of the decayed planking of the hull and the damaged frames of the ship. Looking at HMS Victory in early 2022, you might think that she was in good condition. However, in reality a thin skin of paint and filler masked planking that was almost entirely rotten on the ship’s starboard side. 

As soon as the outer, sound, layer was removed, the team of shipwrights were confronted with material that no longer resembled timber and was much closer to potting compost. Carefully removing that layer of decayed material revealed that rot had spread to the frames to a much greater extent than had been assumed, meaning more repair and replacement activity would be necessary.

Conservation work began to the hull of HMS Victory. An enormous scaffolding structure has been erected over the central section of the ship. This structure fulfils three critical roles: it protects Victory from the British weather; it provides physical access to the hull for works, and it allows the public to view the works as they progress. 

The protective roof over the ship has allowed Victory to start to dry out – and the ship is now drier than she has been at any other stage in her history