Q&A · 2:11:19-2:13:09

Which ship of the line should have survived beside Victory

HMS Africa, a captured French seventy-four, and Santísima Trinidad prompt different preferences for a preserved fleet beside Victory.

Question

Which other ship of the line should have been preserved beside HMS Victory?

Short answer

Preferences include HMS Africa, a French-built seventy-four captured at Trafalgar, and Santísima Trinidad, although her size prompts objections to placing her beside Victory.

Notes

HMS Africa is one preferred companion for Victory. A long-surviving French-built seventy-four captured at Trafalgar offers another candidate and would represent an opponent in the battle. Santísima Trinidad has a supporter because of her unusual design. The objection to placing her beside Victory is a joke about the political complaints her greater size and height could provoke.