As the former flagship of Britain's greatest naval hero, she is an iconic vessel.
It was aboard her that Lord Nelson died after his most famous seafaring success, the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
HMS Victory embodies the pride, history and traditions of the Royal Navy. But now she faces another skirmish
'England Expects': The Victory sees 400,000 visitors a year, but the historic ship's future is in doubt because of the upkeep cost
The Government says she may be given to a private owner as a cost-cutting measure after fears among defence chiefs that she is becoming too expensive to maintain.
The Ministry of Defence argues that increasing budgetary pressures mean it must review Victory's future like any other ship.
But the idea that the world's oldest commissioned warship could fall into private hands or go to a charity has been criticised by naval experts, who say it would be a tragedy.
Victory has pride of place at Portsmouth dockyard, where she is visited by some 400,000 tourists annually.
She costs a minimum of £1.5million to maintain and run each year, but that figure can go up when major work is needed.
The MoD is considering whether to hand Victory to a private company, to a charitable trust similar to the one that looks after the Mary Rose, to another government department, or keep the status quo.
It was aboard her that Lord Nelson died after his most famous seafaring success, the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
HMS Victory embodies the pride, history and traditions of the Royal Navy. But now she faces another skirmish
'England Expects': The Victory sees 400,000 visitors a year, but the historic ship's future is in doubt because of the upkeep cost
The Government says she may be given to a private owner as a cost-cutting measure after fears among defence chiefs that she is becoming too expensive to maintain.
The Ministry of Defence argues that increasing budgetary pressures mean it must review Victory's future like any other ship.
But the idea that the world's oldest commissioned warship could fall into private hands or go to a charity has been criticised by naval experts, who say it would be a tragedy.
Victory has pride of place at Portsmouth dockyard, where she is visited by some 400,000 tourists annually.
She costs a minimum of £1.5million to maintain and run each year, but that figure can go up when major work is needed.
The MoD is considering whether to hand Victory to a private company, to a charitable trust similar to the one that looks after the Mary Rose, to another government department, or keep the status quo.
Lieutenant Commander Michael Cheshire, now retired, who was commanding officer of Victory from 1992 to 1998, said: 'If they sell her or give her away to charity it will be an absolute tragedy.
'This magnificent ship means so much to both naval people and the whole nation - selling it to a private firm would turn it into Disneyland and would be its ruin.
'To sell off this icon would indicate the decline of the Royal Navy.'
Former First Sea Lord Sir Julian Oswald said: 'The Victory is a national treasure. Talk of selling her
or anything of that sort is absolutely daft. It can't be that expensive to keep her - she is just wood and canvas.'
Portsmouth council leader Gerald Vernon- Jackson said: 'It's essential Victory remains available to the public and in tip-top condition - she must not be allowed to rot.
'My concern is a private firm could restrict access and just open her for corporate events or increase admission prices.'
The MoD said it was committed to keeping Victory in the best possible condition, adding that sticking with the current set-up was one of the options.
A spokesman said: 'Whatever happens, we are committed to keeping Victory as a commissioned warship.'
Source: Daily Mail
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