A question arose about the oldest warship around. One English poster
stated that HMS VICTORY is the oldest warship still in commission in the
world. Then Ron the Frog asked about the WASA, a Swedish warship of the
seventeenth century which capsized and sank on its maiden voyage.
The short answer is that HMS VICTORY is the oldest warship STILL IN
COMMISSION, having been in Commission since Nelsons time (except for
relatively short periods of decomissioning for rebuilds). The concept of
an eighteenth century warship still being 'In Commisssion" in a modern
navy admittedly strains credulity, but the Royal Navy (a bastion of
tradition) could not have picked a more fitting relic to preserve and
memorialize than Nelsons flagship!
Mel Miller
M725 X 2
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