HMS Victory 1744
N49 40.595 W03 43.983
Above – Painting of the Victory by Geoff Hunt
The wreck site of HMS Victory has recently been found but Odyssey Marine International, who with the permission of the UK government, recovered some items in order to establish that it was in fact the wreck of HMS Victory that had sunk in the English channel in 1744.
There has been some controversy over what to do with the wreck but it is clear that the items on the surface are at risk due to trawling and salvage due to the fact the position of the wreck is know having been inadvertently published in a government document.
Select the image below to visit the Maritime Heritage Foundation and take a virtual tour.
About HMS Victory
The predecessor to Nelson’s favourite warship, HMS Victory was launched in 1737 and later became the flagship of the Channel Fleet. She was lost less than a decade later during a violent storm in October 1744. The Victory is unique as the only scientifically-studied wreck of a first-rate English warship found in the world’s oceans.
Between February and August 2012, Odyssey conducted, on behalf of the Maritime Heritage Foundation, a comprehensive non-disturbance survey that completed the non-disturbance sections (phases 1-2) of the project design. The wide ranging initiatives applied included side-scan and multibeam sonar, production of two photomosaics, the recording of all surface features, remote geophysical sensing for ferrous (FADE), non-ferrous (TSS) and other sub-bottom imaging anomalies (SBI), and an environmental and marine biological site assessment contracted to the University of St. Andrews, Scotland. Three sacrificial frames containing metal and wood samples were buried offsite as part of an environmental studies program.
Five papers detailing this non-disturbance work have been published, including ‘HMS Victory (Site 25C). Preliminary Results of the Non-Disturbance Shipwreck Survey, 2012.‘ These scientific papers, as well as eight others related to Victory, are available at www.victory1744.org, a website dedicated to Victory that includes a unique virtual dive trail.
About the Maritime Heritage Foundation
The Maritime Heritage Foundation is a registered charity founded in April 2011 by its chairman, Lord Lingfield. The Foundation’s mission is to educate the public about maritime heritage. The Victory 1744 Project is intended to further that mission by conducting an archaeological excavation of the shipwreck, recovering, conserving and studying cultural heritage associated with the shipwreck, and sharing the information and recovered artifacts with the public through exhibits, publications, websites and educational programmes. The Maritime Heritage Foundation is advised by its Scientific Advisory Committee chaired by marine archaeologist, Dr. Margaret Rule. The Foundation has selected Odyssey Marine Exploration to serve as exclusive archaeological contractor for the project and Wreck Watch International to serve as archaeological consultant.
About Odyssey Marine Exploration
Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. (Nasdaq:OMEX) is engaged in deep-ocean exploration using innovative methods and state of-the-art technology. Odyssey has surveyed and mapped more than 26,000 square miles of seabed and spent more than 15,000 hours diving on shipwreck sites using advanced robotic technology. The company has discovered hundreds of shipwrecks ranging from fifth-century BC Punic sites to German U-boats and Colonial warships.
Odyssey has published 43 archaeological and scientific papers available online and in four volumes of hardbound Oceans Odyssey books. More than 2 million people have been educated and entertained by Odyssey’s traveling exhibit, which features more than 500 artifacts combined with shipwreck history. Odyssey’s finds are also available globally at OdysseysVirtualMuseum.com. Odyssey’s work has been featured in more than 16 hours of prime-time TV programming on the Discovery Channel, National Geographic programming on PBS, NBC, and MSNBC, as well as National Geographic magazine and other national publications.