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The Society for Nautical Research commissioned both vessels to promote the impor- tance of documenting historic craft and to highlight its work in preserving HMS VICTORY. The Society was responsible for saving the ship in 1921 and for raising funds to provide a permanent berth for her at Portsmouth. It continues to help fund the ship’s mainte- nance and restoration to her 1805 appearance. Another Society project is the conserva- tion of HMS VICTORY’s Trafalgar foretopsail, the only surviving sail from the Battle of Trafalgar, now on display in Storehouse 10 at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.


VICTORY’s Cutter has square loomed oars 14ft 6in (4.4m) that fit into each of the 12 oar ports cut out of the gunwales above the wash strake. She also has two un-stayed masts, both of which set dipping lug sails with a total sail area of 360 sq ft (33m2). The replica sails are made with modern rot-proof material and give every appearance of being old- time sailcloth.


Since her launch in 1990 the Cutter has been taken to official events in Brest, Tenerife and Gothenburg, and all round Britain, including Dartmouth. She also competes in the annual Great River Race. Under the command of Sailing Master Michael Dalton, she is crewed by small group of dedicated volunteers who train throughout the year and wear authentic naval uniform of the 1805 period. It is reputed to be harder to join HMS VIC- TORY’s Cutter Crew than the Royal Yacht Squadron!


HMS VICTORY’s Cutter is a fitting tribute to one of the greatest ships and naval battles of all time.


(As well as being a member of the Cutter Crew, Peter Warwick, seen at the helm in the picture below, is a naval historian and chairman of the 1805 Club, a charity dedicated to conserving the graves and monuments of people associated with both the Royal Navy and the merchant service during the Georgian era.)


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