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Figurehead
The Hull
Main Gun Deck
Middle Deck
Upper Deck
Quarter and Fore Decks
Masts and Rigging       

Views of the HMS Victory Model.

Profile of the Model

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profile view.  

 

                                       

View completed model from the bow. 

View of the model taken at night with gun ports open and lights on.

                

The model is 7 feet long from the tip of the Flying Jibboom at the bow to the Driver Gaff extending beyond the stern.  It is 4 1/2 feet high from the keel to the top of the Main Royal Mast. 

To see detailed views of various parts the model, click on the appropriate button to the left on this page.   

The Flags

The flags hoisted on the model are a combination of those which would be flying on harbor and in battle.  The White Ensign hoisted on the Ensign staff at the stern identified the ship as part of the White fleet of the British navy.  There was also a Red and Blue fleet.

The Jack at the bow of the ship was normally only hoisted while in harbor.

The St. Georges cross at the top of the Fore mast was Nelson's command flag.  It was used to indicate that the commander of the fleet was on board and also indicated his rank and fleet.   A Rear Admiral would hoist his flag on the Mizzen mast, a Vice Admiral on the Fore mast and an Admiral at the Main.

The signal flags hoisted are the famous signal Nelson communicated to his fleet as they sailed into the Battle of Trafalgar.  The signal was  "England Expects That Every Man Will Do his Duty"

 

 

 

 

 

At the time of the Battle of Trafalgar, naval signals were read in the following order:

  • 1. Read down the main-mast.
  • 2. Read down the fore-mast.
  • 3. Read down the mizzen-mast.
  • 4. Read down the peak, or gaff.
  • 5. Read down the starboard side of the main-mast.
  • 6. Read down the port side of the main-mast.
  • 7. Read down the starboard side of the fore-mast.
  • 8. Read down the port side of the fore-mast.
  • 9. Read down the starboard side of the mizzen-mast.
  • 10. Read down the port side of the mizzen-mast.


Following this order the flags on HMS Victory appeared as follows:

  • At the top of the main-mast was the flags for the numerals 2, 5, 3 which is the code for ENGLAND, a space, then 2, 6, 9 (EXPECTS).
  • At the top of the fore-mast was Nelson's command flag then a space and 8, 6, 3 (THAT), a space, then 2, 6, 1 (EVERY).
  • At the top of the mizzen-mast was 4, 7, 1 (MAN).
  • At the gaff was 9, 5, 8 (WILL).
  • On the starboard side of the main-mast was 2, 2, 0 (DO) (the Substitute Flag was used for the second "2").
  • On the port side of the main-mast was 3, 7, 0 (HIS).
  • On the starboard side of the fore-mast was 4 (D).
  • On the port side of the fore-mast was 2, 1 (U).
  • On the starboard side of the mizzen-mast was 1, 9 (T).
  • On the port side of the mizzen-mast was 2, 4 (Y).