HMS Victory masts to be removed in conservation plans
The move is part of the latest phase of a ten-year £42m project, dubbed The Big Repair.
www.bbc.comThe latest news is that HMS Victory’s masts have now been successfully removed as part of a major conservation project called “The Big Repair.” The work used a 750-ton crane and is the latest phase of a 10-year, £42 million restoration effort, with the ship expected to remain under scaffolding until conservation is completed in 2033.[1][3]
What happened
Three masts — the mizzen, foremast, and bowsprit — were lowered at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard over two nights. Officials described the operation as a major success and said it was the first time since the early 1890s that Victory has been without all of its masts.[3][1]
Why it matters
The removal is being done so conservators can inspect, repair, and protect the masts and the ship itself before they are eventually returned. HMS Victory is Nelson’s flagship and the world’s oldest commissioned warship, so the project is being treated as a highly significant preservation effort.[1][3]
Next steps
The next stage is to wrap the ship in a large scaffolding structure while conservation work continues. The current timeline from the coverage says the project is due to finish in 2033.[3][1]