PROBABLY ENGLAND C. 1860. HMVS NELSON, A WOODEN AUXILARY STEAM BATTLESHIP, AFTER HER CONVERSION ...

Place Oceania: Australia, Victoria, Melbourne, Williamstown
Accession Number 300057
Collection type Photograph
Object type Black & white
Physical description Black & white
Conflict Australian Colonial Forces, 1854-1900
Copyright

Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain

Public Domain Mark This item is in the Public Domain

Description

PROBABLY ENGLAND C. 1860. HMVS NELSON, A WOODEN AUXILARY STEAM BATTLESHIP, AFTER HER CONVERSION TO A TRAINING SHIP FOR THE VICTORIAN COLONIAL NAVY. THE NELSON, A LINE-OF-BATTLE SHIP, COMPLETED IN 1815 AND DESIGNED TO CARRY 120 GUNS ON THREE DECKS, WAS THE LAST AND THE LARGEST WOODEN WAR SHIP BUILT IN BRITAIN. DUE TO THE ADVENT OF STEAM SHE WAS NEVER COMMISSIONED. SHE WAS CONVERTED TO AUXILARY SCREW PROPULSION IN 1854. HER UPPER DECK WAS REMOVED AND HER ARMAMENT REDUCED TO 46 GUNS. IN THIS CONFIGURATION, AS IN THIS PHOTOGRAPH, SHE WAS COMMISSIONED ON 1867-07-22 AND SAILED FOR AUSTRALIA 1867-10-20 ARRIVING AT MELBOURNE EARLY IN 1868-02, A GIFT TO THE COLONY OF VICTORIA. (NAVAL HISTORICAL COLLECTION).