LHR Get Involved in the Restoration of the HMS Victory

Recently, LHR was invited to participate in a restoration project with the HMS Victory – an intensive £2 million venture that commenced in 2012.

The HMS Victory, located in Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard, is known as ‘the world’s most famous warship’ – having led fleets in the American War of Independence, the French Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic War, as well as performing as the flagship for Britain’s greatest victory the Battle of Trafalgar, under Admiral Nelson’s command.

Since 1992, it’s been sitting comfortably in Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard, attracting global visitors as the oldest commissioned warship in the world.

Our rug looking grand in Nelson’s Day Room.

Recently, we were approached by the Dockyard to supply a rug for Nelson’s Day Room – one of the most popular rooms aboard. Those managing the project wanted to supply the room with a rug that would be in keeping with the ship’s style, that would be antique and also large enough to fill it.

An Antique Persian Feraghan rug circa. 1880 and measuring 22×14 feet was chosen – the design and colours of which were in keeping with that described in the ship’s diaries.

The restoration has been extensive throughout the ship. Aside from the rug fitting, the ship has been repainted to reflect how she looked during the Battle of Trafalgar (who know French Grey existed in 1805!). Extensive work has also been carried out on caulking and stabilising the ship to ensure she remains an archaeological object and attraction for many years to come.

Ultimately, the mission has been to restore the ship to the state it was in during the peak of its flagship days. Although it has evolved a lot through the years, serving as both warship and touristic attraction, it is its days under Admiral Nelson’s guide that it’s most renowned for. We were delighted to be invited to take part in such a prestigious project and eagerly await its completion.

To keep up-to-date with restoration news and updates, click here.

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