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HMS Victory

HMS Victory is a British Royal Navy first-rate ship of the line launched in 1765 and best known as Admiral Lord Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 11, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

HMS Victory is a British Royal Navy first-rate ship of the line launched in 1765 and best known as Admiral Lord Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Preserved at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, it is regarded as the world’s oldest commissioned warship still in service.

Design and construction

HMS Victory was designed by Sir Thomas Slade and built at Chatham Dockyard. It was launched on 7 May 1765 as a first-rate ship of the line.

Victory entered active service in 1778 and saw action in the American Revolutionary War, the French Revolutionary War, and the Napoleonic Wars. Its most famous role was as Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, where Nelson was mortally wounded aboard the ship.

Preservation and public access

After being placed in dry dock in 1922, Victory was restored and opened to visitors in 1928. It is now displayed at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard as a preserved historic warship.

Cultural significance

Victory is widely regarded as one of the most famous ships in British naval history. Its association with Nelson and Trafalgar has made it an enduring symbol of the Royal Navy.

Key facts

  • Victory was launched in 1765 and commissioned for active service in 1778.
  • It served in the American Revolutionary War, the French Revolutionary War, and the Napoleonic Wars.
  • At Trafalgar in 1805, it was Nelson’s flagship and the ship from which his famous fleet signal was flown.
  • Nelson was mortally wounded aboard Victory during the Battle of Trafalgar.
  • The ship remains a commissioned ship of the Royal Navy and the flagship of the First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff.

Frequently asked questions

When was HMS Victory launched?
It was launched on 7 May 1765.
Who designed HMS Victory?
It was designed by Sir Thomas Slade.
What is HMS Victory best known for?
It is best known as Lord Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
Where is HMS Victory now?
It is preserved at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard in England.
Is HMS Victory still commissioned?
Yes. It remains a commissioned ship of the Royal Navy and serves as the flagship of the First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff.

References

  1. Royal Museums Greenwich — https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/maritime-history/hms-victory
    Supports: Launch date, designer, dockyard, public opening, and current commissioned status
  2. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Victory-British-ship
    Supports: Trafalgar role, Nelson association, dimensions, and preservation history
  3. Royal Navy Museums — https://www.royalnavymuseums.org.uk/hms-victory-facts
    Supports: World’s oldest commissioned warship claim, dimensions, public visitation, and dry-dock history
  4. Royal Navy Museums — https://www.royalnavymuseums.org.uk/visit-us/portsmouth-historic-dockyard/hms-victory
    Supports: Current location and interpretive visitor context
  5. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Victory
    Supports: Service history across major wars and commissioning timeline