Latest news with #HMSVictory
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
The real Thomas Hardy of Dorset's Hardy Monument
At one of the highest points in Dorset, above the village of Portesham, stands a monument to Thomas stone tower, built in 1844, was not built to remember the world famous English novelist and poet of the same name, but another Dorset son who went to sea at the age of 12 and eventually ascended to the top of the British Navy. Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy's most famous linguistic contribution to history is neither books nor poems but three simple words: "Kiss me, Hardy."BBC Solent's Steve Harris visited the tower to find out more about the man and how the monument came about. As Flag Captain of HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar, it was in this Hardy's arms that his longstanding friend Admiral Lord Nelson died, reportedly uttering the iconic monument cost £450 to build 180 years ago and has been owned and maintained by the National Trust since Hocking has been showing people the views from the base and the top of the monument for nine no large national memorial to Hardy, his three daughters wanted one and asked local people to put money in, he says."At that time it would have been called subscription, we'd probably call that crowdfunding these days, and that made enough money to pay for an architect and for the build," he explains Ascending to the top of the 72ft (22m) tall tower via 122 steps and six complete 360 degree rotations, visitors emerge at one of Dorset's highest points above sea brief to the architect said the structure should be able to be used as a navigation aid, says Mr Hocking. "If you look at it from a distance, you can see that it's built like a naval telescope, a spyglass as you might call it, the fine eyepiece at the top, the wide objective lens at the bottom," he continues."It's octagonal, so the sides of the monument are the cardinal and the ordinal points of the compass." Being in Dorset, the shadow of the author Thomas Hardy is never far and raised in the county, the author finally settled in Dorchester and much of his work drew inspiration from the coastal county in the south of England."[People] arrive saying, 'I didn't know there was a monument like this to Hardy'," Mr Hocking he asks which Hardy they are thinking of, they often say it is the there is a link, he says, explaining that the author's novel The Trumpet-Major, published in 1880, is "actually based on this ridgeway, Portesham, and what Hardy called Overcombe".In the book, "one of the sailors walks the ridgeway to meet Captain Hardy at his home in Portesham", he while Dorset may lay claim to two famous Thomas Hardys, Hardy Monument stands firmly in remembrance of the naval hero. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Fashion United
01-08-2025
- Business
- Fashion United
Sailmaker Ratsey & Lapthorn launches handcrafted accessories
British brand Ratsey & Lapthorn, the world's oldest sailmaker, is expanding into the lifestyle sector with a line of handcrafted leather and canvas bags inspired by its unique heritage. The expansion is described as a 'bold new chapter' for the heritage brand, which has made sails for some of the world's most iconic vessels, including Lord Nelson's HMS Victory, John F Kennedy's Manitou, the Gucci family's Creole and British and American challengers for the America's Cup. Under the stewardship of former seasoned fund manager Simon Brazier (chairman) and sailing industry veteran Jim Hartley (chief executive), the new premium accessories collection comprises styles that echo functional pieces from its archive, celebrating both the spirit of classic sailing and the beauty of its craftsmanship honed over nearly 250 years of continuous operation. The collection has been designed to highlight the brand's 'deep but lesser-known history as a maker of bags,' with Ratsey & Lapthorn producing some of the earliest precursors of the modern tote, dating back to the late 19th century. Originally fashioned from decommissioned sails and surplus cloth, these were used to transport coal and ice to ships in harbour. Ratsey & Lapthorn bag collection Credits: Ratsey & Lapthorn The newly designed range, in collaboration with UK-based artisans, including Ratsey and Lapthorn's own sailmakers on the Isle of Wight, is described as a 'natural extension' of the brand's legacy in both form and function, with each style inspired by authentic and utilitarian pieces in the brand's archive. The launch collection comprises of eight styles, made in small, numbered editions, which have been handmade in England and Italy. Each of the bags draws inspiration from the world of sailing and utilises the same heritage techniques and materials, such as hand-woven cord and individually tied knots, to hand-sewn brass eyelets and intricate rats' tails. Selected styles are customisable with bespoke sailors' knot charms, and all include embedded NFC technology enabling traceability. Ratsey & Lapthorn expands into luxury lifestyle sector with bag collection Commenting on the collection launch, Hartley said in a statement: "For over 200 years, Ratsey & Lapthorn have been custodians of a living craft, passed down meticulously from master to apprentice. 'We believe in a quality and soul that comes only from the human hand, and we are resolute in our commitment to keeping these skills alive for the future. Breathing new life into our long heritage in bags is a critical part of this effort.' Ratsey & Lapthorn bag collection Credits: Ratsey & Lapthorn Highlights include the 'Ditty,' a bucket silhouette, priced at 2,000 pounds, which has a structured leather base, drawstring rope closure, and linen canvas outer. The bag is constructed by hand in Somerset by British craftswoman Katie Robarts-Arnold before heading to Ratsey's sailmakers to insert eight brass eyelets and refine the leather base, before being finished by Sue Pennison, a member of the International Guild of Knot Tyers, who hand-makes the cord, ties the lanyard handle and fastens the ropework to the bag. Ratsey & Lapthorn bag collection Credits: Ratsey & Lapthorn Other key looks include the 'Ratsey' structured canvas tote with leather handles, a sturdy Italian leather base and diamond stitching reinforcement, the 'Ratpack' a versatile duffel shape bag inspired by the stackable bags used by crew members in the mid-20th century, and the 'Rat' clutch, which offers a playful style that celebrates the brand's unique red crescent sail marque in two sizes. The debut collection is available direct-to-consumer via the brand's website. Prices range from 300 to 2,000 pounds. Ratsey & Lapthorn bag collection Credits: Ratsey & Lapthorn Ratsey & Lapthorn bag collection Credits: Ratsey & Lapthorn Ratsey & Lapthorn bag collection Credits: Ratsey & Lapthorn
Rhyl Journal
31-07-2025
- General
- Rhyl Journal
18th century shipwreck among ‘best preserved' of its time, experts say
Twenty metres deep underwater and nine miles off the Kent coast, the Northumberland shipwreck is said to potentially be one of the 'best preserved' wooden ships. The latest survey, organised by Historic England with MSDS divers, found wooden decks, lengths of rope, copper cauldrons, and wooden chests with some preserved cannon balls inside had survived 'particularly well'. The 320-year-old protected wreck site is at high risk of deterioration as shifting sands expose it to processes which may erode the well preserved wreckage, Historic England said. Its licensee Dan Pascoe, who monitors the site, said: 'The Northumberland has the potential to be one of the best-preserved wooden warships in the UK. 'However, at 20 metres underwater and nine miles offshore, it is out of sight and mind to most people.' The Northumberland was a third rate 70-gun warship built in Bristol in 1679 as part of Samuel Pepys's regeneration of the English Navy. It sank during the 'Great Storm' on November 26, 1703 off Kent along with three other warships, including The Mary – the location of which is still unknown. They were all part of Queen Anne's fleet, the last Stuart monarch, reigning from 1702 to 1714. A film made by streaming service History Hit airs on Thursday detailing the new survey and the initial construction of the Northumberland. Creator Dan Snow said: 'Northumberland is the missing link. Built roughly halfway between the Mary Rose and HMS Victory, this wreck can fill in crucial details of shipbuilding and life at sea at that pivotal moment in our history. 'We have the Mary Rose, the 'Tudor time capsule' – well here's a Stuart time capsule to sit alongside it.' Future work on the site may include taking wood samples or dendrochronological sampling to find out more about the ship's construction and confirm its identity. Paul Jeffery, marine leader at Historic England, said: 'The completeness of the Northumberland wreck site is remarkable. 'It is a race against time as more of the Northumberland wreck becomes exposed.'
Leader Live
31-07-2025
- General
- Leader Live
18th century shipwreck among ‘best preserved' of its time, experts say
Twenty metres deep underwater and nine miles off the Kent coast, the Northumberland shipwreck is said to potentially be one of the 'best preserved' wooden ships. The latest survey, organised by Historic England with MSDS divers, found wooden decks, lengths of rope, copper cauldrons, and wooden chests with some preserved cannon balls inside had survived 'particularly well'. The 320-year-old protected wreck site is at high risk of deterioration as shifting sands expose it to processes which may erode the well preserved wreckage, Historic England said. Its licensee Dan Pascoe, who monitors the site, said: 'The Northumberland has the potential to be one of the best-preserved wooden warships in the UK. 'However, at 20 metres underwater and nine miles offshore, it is out of sight and mind to most people.' The Northumberland was a third rate 70-gun warship built in Bristol in 1679 as part of Samuel Pepys's regeneration of the English Navy. It sank during the 'Great Storm' on November 26, 1703 off Kent along with three other warships, including The Mary – the location of which is still unknown. They were all part of Queen Anne's fleet, the last Stuart monarch, reigning from 1702 to 1714. A film made by streaming service History Hit airs on Thursday detailing the new survey and the initial construction of the Northumberland. Creator Dan Snow said: 'Northumberland is the missing link. Built roughly halfway between the Mary Rose and HMS Victory, this wreck can fill in crucial details of shipbuilding and life at sea at that pivotal moment in our history. 'We have the Mary Rose, the 'Tudor time capsule' – well here's a Stuart time capsule to sit alongside it.' Future work on the site may include taking wood samples or dendrochronological sampling to find out more about the ship's construction and confirm its identity. Paul Jeffery, marine leader at Historic England, said: 'The completeness of the Northumberland wreck site is remarkable. 'It is a race against time as more of the Northumberland wreck becomes exposed.'
North Wales Chronicle
31-07-2025
- General
- North Wales Chronicle
18th century shipwreck among ‘best preserved' of its time, experts say
Twenty metres deep underwater and nine miles off the Kent coast, the Northumberland shipwreck is said to potentially be one of the 'best preserved' wooden ships. The latest survey, organised by Historic England with MSDS divers, found wooden decks, lengths of rope, copper cauldrons, and wooden chests with some preserved cannon balls inside had survived 'particularly well'. The 320-year-old protected wreck site is at high risk of deterioration as shifting sands expose it to processes which may erode the well preserved wreckage, Historic England said. Its licensee Dan Pascoe, who monitors the site, said: 'The Northumberland has the potential to be one of the best-preserved wooden warships in the UK. 'However, at 20 metres underwater and nine miles offshore, it is out of sight and mind to most people.' The Northumberland was a third rate 70-gun warship built in Bristol in 1679 as part of Samuel Pepys's regeneration of the English Navy. It sank during the 'Great Storm' on November 26, 1703 off Kent along with three other warships, including The Mary – the location of which is still unknown. They were all part of Queen Anne's fleet, the last Stuart monarch, reigning from 1702 to 1714. A film made by streaming service History Hit airs on Thursday detailing the new survey and the initial construction of the Northumberland. Creator Dan Snow said: 'Northumberland is the missing link. Built roughly halfway between the Mary Rose and HMS Victory, this wreck can fill in crucial details of shipbuilding and life at sea at that pivotal moment in our history. 'We have the Mary Rose, the 'Tudor time capsule' – well here's a Stuart time capsule to sit alongside it.' Future work on the site may include taking wood samples or dendrochronological sampling to find out more about the ship's construction and confirm its identity. Paul Jeffery, marine leader at Historic England, said: 'The completeness of the Northumberland wreck site is remarkable. 'It is a race against time as more of the Northumberland wreck becomes exposed.'
