Officer Cadets under training at Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) have stepped aboard the Royal Navy’s oldest commissioned warship – HMS Victory.
The group of 30 Cadets are currently undertaking their three week initial sea acquaint on board the Portsmouth-based Type 23 frigate HMS Richmond.
They took the opportunity to visit the only surviving ship from the Georgian Navy located within Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
HMS Victory is best known for her role in the Battle of Trafalgar as Admiral Lord Nelson’s flagship.
She is the only surviving naval warship that represents the skill of naval dockyard shipwrights, ships designers and the industrial ability of Britain during the mid-18th Century.
Officer Cadet Arran Deakin said: “It was amazing to see how sailors before us used to live and work.
“After previously spending time on an Astute Class submarine the changes in technology in 250 years are incredible.
“It really makes you realise how technology has developed and that it is really exciting to be part of a Navy with a vast array of modern assets, these include; Astute Class Submarines, Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carriers and Type 45 Destroyers.
“It is easy to take for granted how comfortable life can be nowadays, even on a submarine. On board HMS Victory life was very difficult. They lived in very confined spaces in appalling conditions.
“I particularly enjoyed standing in the spot where Nelson took his last breath as this gave me an opportunity to reflect on the significance of the Battle of Trafalgar and the Royal Navy today.”
HMS Victory is crewed by a mixture of Royal Navy sailors and staff from the National Museum of the Royal Navy.
The ship is open to the public daily.
Officer Cadet James Pottage said: “The visit was very engaging and consolidated the theory behind the Strategic Study lectures we receive at BRNC.
“I particularly enjoyed learning the origins and history behind the everyday phrases that we still use today on board which are commonly known as 'Jack Speak'.
“I hadn't heard of this before I joined but it is interesting that the Royal Navy has its own language and traditions and I now know the history behind such phrases as; let the cat out the bag, dirty toe rag and rule of thumb.
“It’s experiences like this that I believe give Officer Cadets a diverse range of knowledge throughout initial naval training, ensuring we receive the best training in the world.”
The three-week warship acquaint is designed to give the Cadets an introduction to living and working at sea.
They are also able to gain an insight into the day-to-day lives of the Ship’s Company and see how each of the departments on board plays its part in the overall capability of the ship.
