A Short History of H.M.S. Victory

The book traces the life of the warship from her construction in the 1760s through decades of service, detailing dimensions, armament changes, commissioning after long peacetime, and engagements with French squadrons and frigates. It chronicles her tenure as flagship in major fleet actions, describes alterations made to her guns and fittings, and culminates with her role at the decisive battle where her admiral received a fatal wound. Drawn from varied sources, the account combines technical data, action narratives, and later preservation notes, and was compiled to inform visitors and benefit seamen and marines' charitable institutions.