The first one, that is. "The remains of the first HMS Victory are to be raised from the sea bed nearly 300 years after it sank, it has been reported. The vessel, predecessor of Nelson's famous flagship, went down in a storm off the Channel Islands in 1744, taking more than 1,000 soldiers to their deaths. Along with a bronze cannon collection, some believe the ship was carrying a large quantity of gold coins from Lisbon to Britain that would now be worth a reported £500m. According to the Sunday Times the wreck is to be handed over to the Maritime Heritage Foundation, which is expected to employ Odyssey Marine Exploration to carry out the recovery. Odyssey – a US company – found the ship four years ago. A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said: "Efforts to protect key parts of British naval history such as the wreck of HMS Victory 1744 are very welcome and we hope to make an announcement shortly."" First HMS Victory 'to be raised' | UK news | guardian.co.uk
Just a thought - isn't it interesting that every sailing vessel that ever sank anywhere is '...believed to have been carrying a large haul of gold coins....' ?
The bigger story here may be that Gordon's been reading the Grauniad . I always come over a bit 'peculiar' when I visit the above-water Victory, particularly that plaque that indicates where Nelson fell. Murmuring 'Hearts of Oak' & 'Jerusalem' to myself. And as for that surviving Trafalgar-damaged sail, I consider it one of the UK's primary 'cultural artefacts' (Bit of a WW2 story to it as well - put away for safety, and then discovered in a Gym locker in the 60s. Big lockers these Navy types.) Pics from a few months back - She's undergoing a major overhaul at the mo, hence her somewhat truncated masts, which are laid out in a nearby shed. Back on track, I think this is the Foundation's site, but it's apparently only a place-marker at the mo, might be worth checking occasionally as this lifting story grows: Maritime Heritage Foundation Reports on the initial discovery: BBC NEWS | Europe | Legendary British warship 'found' HMS Victory (+1744) And the company that found her: Odyssey Marine Exploration - pr176 ~A
Would it not be a war grave? Diving regulations apply etc? No pinching as on other such wrecks? I suppose if it has gold bullion then the govt rules change? Can anyone dive on her at present or is that not allowed? I don't know, but if that was the case, I'd love to hear why it can suddenly be raised.
I was wondering about the War Graves thing too, though I suppose they got around that somehow with the Mary Rose (which, in my opinion, was worth it - quite staggering amount of stuff was learnt there, which balanced the possible moral problems for me). Seem to recall some controversial political business regarding WW1&2 sunken War Graves & treasure recently. Brief article (with no date) on the potential legal problems in raising such a thing: Rocks ahead for Victory salvage plan - Divernet Presumably the preservation of a significant artefact from further decay angle is a main one that could be taken from a purely history/archaeological angle, but mounds of Gold & Silver are always going to figure somewhere - not exactly cheap raising hundreds of tons of rotten wood, even before considering preservation.
You mean they weren't ?! And apologies, Martin; I have no idea how I managed to edit your post when I was trying to quote it!
