Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 3:06:34-3:07:03

HMS Victory and the hazards of a museum broadside

The imagined sound of Victory's full broadside appeals, but the Mary Rose and nearby museum buildings obstruct either firing direction.

HMS VictoryNaval GunneryNaval MuseumsRoyal Navy
Watch at this timeFull video guide
Question

Which museum warship should fire a full broadside with all guns?

Short answer

HMS Victory is the choice for the sound, although firing either broadside would endanger the Mary Rose or nearby museum buildings.

Notes

HMS Victory is the personal choice for the sound of a full age-of-sail broadside. Firing in her museum setting would threaten the Mary Rose in one direction and a museum in the other. The attraction of hearing the guns is therefore qualified by the danger to surrounding buildings.