A "First Rate" of the Royal Navy, this was the fifth and most famous ship named Victory. With 100 guns and a war crew of 850 she was commissioned on 12 March 1778 and by May of that year she was the flagship of the main fleet under the command of Admiral Keppel. Nine officers held her command until May 1803 when the Victory again sailed for the Mediterranean, this time under the command of Admiral Lord Nelson. By September 1805 Victory was on station off Cadiz. On 21 October 1805 the famous Battle of Trafalgar was fought and due to to Nelson's tactics, the British fleet won a most remarkable victory. On 20 March 1922 the Admiralty decreed that the Victory is to remain in No 2 Dock at Portsmouth permanently; beginning of restoration to Trafalgar condition.
