Go see the historic ships

A quick thought about one of the great British tourist attractions.

Well, I'm back from Switzerland having made a thorough tourist's tour of the Swiss Alps. I kept my eyes open, but the only connection with British History I could find was Reichenbach falls, where Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty held their final duel. Of course, one can argue whether or not that is history...

Anyway, being a tourist again got me thinking about some of the great tourists attractions here in Britain. I have travelled around much of the country and seen many of the sites, but one stands out particularly in my mind: the historic ships exhibit in Portsmouth. This exhibit actually includes three distinct pieces. First, and perhaps foremost, is the HMS Victory, the ship of Admiral Horatio Nelson. This two hundred year old ship has been perfectly restored. Through a guided tour you can see exactly what it must have been like to live and fight on a ship in the Naploenic Wars.

Floating nearby is the HMS Warrior. This beautiful ship is an example of the Victorian Navy at its finest. Although it never actually saw combat it is a must see for fans of Victorian England as well as military history enthusiasts.

Finally, a museum holds all that remains of the 16th Century warship, the Mary Rose. It includes many artifacts recovered from the wreck, including several huge cannon, but the real highlight is the giant room that contains the remaining section of her hull. Here you can look through a giant glass wall and watch in eerie silence as the ship continues its restoration. Over a period of twenty years, the ship is being sprayed with a special wax to keep the soggy wood from deteriorating.

This exhibit is a must for anyone interested in ships or naval history. It makes a great day trip down from London.