Fasteners for HMS Victory's mast
Fasteners for HMS Victory's mast
Keywords Arnold Wragg, Brass, Nails
Although more used to supplying precision manufactured fasteners for the Royal Navy's most modern fighting ships, specialist fastener manufacturer Arnold Wragg was recently asked to assist in sourcing fasteners for one of its oldest.
The company, based in Sheffield, was contacted by Fleet Support Ltd to supply around 10,000, 1.5in antique brass nails for use in the ongoing maintenance and restoration of HMS Victory (Plate 3).
Restoration work has been ongoing since HMS Victory was opened to the public in 1928 to counter the effects of time and damage inflicted during the Second World War and by death watch beetle during the 1950s. The aim is to return the ship to her original condition in time for the Battle of Trafalgar bicentennial in 2005.
Plate 3 HMS Victory in dry dock in Portsmouth
In order to maintain the authenticity of the vessel, materials as close as possible to those used in the original construction are being used. However, developments in fastener technology and materials meant that the restorers had great difficulty obtaining authentic nails a problem solved by Arnold Wragg.
Launched in 1765, HMS Victory has been in dry dock in Portsmouth since the 1920s, where it has become one of Britain's major tourist attractions.
Arnold Wragg is a member of Haden MacLellan Holding plc's Fasteners Division, an integrated group of UK fastener manufacturing and distribution companies.
Further details concerning the HMH Fasteners Division can be found on the HMH plc Web site: http://www.hadenmac.com
