Warships

The Dry Dock at Portsmouth

On my own personal interest, a warship I will not go visit. But daddy never seemed to have enough of Portsmouth. This time he said; go up the warships! Ah? Warships? To prevent a domestic war, the ladies trotted up the warships...

After the pictures below, I believe you have already visited one.

Greeted by this notice, we were told the age of the ship.

Launched in 1860, the Warrior was the pride of Queen Victoria's fleet. A maritime power then, England was the say of the day in shipbuilding, I assume?

Beautiful isn't it? But today it's only fit to be a museum piece. During her hey day she must have been most coveted and envied by the neighboring enemies.

The deck is well maintained to draw tourists and to allow its history to be remembered.

Papa, what's the golden strips for? He tried rationalizing but we ladies believe only a little.

Take a shot on this historical ship... don't we ladies adorn the ship too? It's good to let your hair down occasionally and not care what others say. Pose, ladies.

Powered by steam and sail, the frigate moved by itself and was then the fastest, largest and most powerful vessel having designed on naval architecture. The Warrior was built in preparation of a possible attack by Napoleon on England then. Wars... they never stop til today.

Cannon balls; weapons of wars so neatly arranged.

We gather that this was used to keep the cannon balls?

This must be used to repair machinery? rifles? maintaining the parts of the ship?

They say an arsenal of guns, a battery of guns, what about rifles? I can't get the answer. Do you have it? The arrangement speaks of discipline?

The kitchen must be a hive of activities then. All possible cooking equipment available.

This must be the common eating area and when the soldiers gathered for big and small talk; sometimes squabbles; at others deep sharing. I can imagine the loneliness being away from home for long periods of time. When duty called, the Queen was to be obeyed.

What do the barrels contain? Beer?

Look at the formal dining area. Impressive.

I presume this device is for pressing and drying clothes?

This is where they sleep. The natural movement of the ship on the waters must have provided the sway for deep sleep. No mattress but still comfortable enough.

Maybe the captain and his immediate lieutenants were allowed to bring their family along; otherwise why the need to have boys' bathrooms?

This seems to indicate another mode of resting place.

But this is the best; the lieutenant's bedroom ; just like proper bedroom on ground. That was a short tour of the Warrior. It gave us some insights to life and style of living in a war ship.

Next, are you tired of warships already? Guess what. The captain of the family said go up another warship! Urg... another one?

This time the renown Victory !

HMS Victory is a 104-gun first rate ship of the Royal Navy laid down in 1759 and launched in 1765. It was famous as Lord Nelson's flagship in the Battle of Trafalgar 1805. However by 1922 it was moved to a dry dock at Portsmouth and parked as a museum ship. I believe it can also be booked for wedding celebrations.

The Victory took Nelson's body back to England after lying in state at Greenwich and later for burial at St. Paul's Cathedral in 1806.

Again this must be a resting place.

This is the sick berth. The patients were placed in the front portion as it was more airy fit for the sick.

We also saw the Captain's bedplace and cot... always special treatment.

The Captain's attire.

Hey a chicken coop; they had 'chickens' in there !

The fireplace suitable for winter moments.

Cooking utensils all ready for the cook ! It must be the greatest daily challenge; what to cook, how may to feed, how much...

Father and daughter demanded to be served !

The special dining for the captain and his men.

The playful Esther trying to prove her acrobatic skills.

A small squabble. Have we had enough of ships? Yes we have understood the history of the maritime power, seen all that are available in a warship, felt for the soldiers... can we go shopping now, please?

The War ships ; an eye opener. But we can stay away for the next few years and only after memory fails and we need a refreshing update before the next visit.
But it was fun while it lasted.