Nautical

HMS Victory was Nelsons flagship and entered service in 1778. 227ft long, 202ft high it weighed 3,500tons. It was made from 5,000 trees and sailed at 8-9 knots from 6,500 sq yards of sail and 26 miles of hemp rigging. Crewed by 677 sailors it was a formidable fighting vessel. Its weapons were 30 x 32 pounder guns, 28 x 24 pounders, 75 lighter guns plus pikes, muskets and cutlasses. The cost in 1778 was £63,176 (£70m at todays value)