www. navynews. co. uk
NAVY NEWS, NOVEMBER 2002 19
Options
Lt CDR Frank Nowosielski is the 102nd Commanding Officer of HMS Victory, Nelson's flagship at Trafalgar - and with his term extended to 2005, the bicentenary of the battle, he told Merrick Trevaskis he will be the ships longest -ever serving CO How did you get the job of Commanding Officer?
After being appointed as the ship's First Lieutenant from 1989 to 1992, I left with the ambition of returning as comanding officer. A few years later, whilst looking for my next job, I mentioned to my appointer that I was keen to take over as CO of HMS Victory. My name was put forward and I was fortunate enough to be selected and I was back here again in April 1998. The job has lived up to my expectations.
What does your involve?
job
My primary task is to provide the ceremonial platform for the Second Sea Lord to carry out his offical duties, such as medal presentations, offical dinners and cocktail parties. The ship also carries out the traditonal duties with Service ships as they pass in and out of the harbour. I also co-ordinate the tourist business of the ship and have a Visitor Services Manager and 21 professional guides (most are ex-Service) that cater for over 300,000 visitors per year. I am also involved in the planning and co-ordination of the maintenance and restoration of the ship whilst trying to ensure that work continues without impacting on our flagship and tourist business.
The Victory is host to many dinners and cocktail parties. Have you had many celebrities on board? Yes we have a real variety of people that attend events; the draw of HMS Victory encourages people to accept invitations. For Trafalgar Night dinner last year the Princess Royal was the principal guest. Patrick O'Brien, the famous maritime author, was also on board a short while before his death and Richard Branson has been a guest. Earlier this year we had Russell Crowe while he was researching for his new film in which he portrays Jack Aubrey, the hero in the Patrick O'Brien series of books. He was keen to get a feel of what life was like at sea.
where for one inclusive price the purchaser can also visit the Mary Rose, HMS Warrior 1860, Action Stations and the Royal Naval Museum, which offers incredible value for money. The site attracts visitors from far and wide, especially foreign nationals.
What question are you most often asked about Victory?
Position of
How much of the ship is original, and will she ever go to sea again? Because she was in such a bad state of repair when she came into dock in 1922 and the work that has been done since then, as well as the bomb that damaged her during World War II, she will never go to sea again, which I think is a great shame because she would have been a magnificent sight.
So how much of the original ship is still left? I would say there is somewhere in the region of 20% of pre-Trafalgar timber left. The majority of the lower gun deck, which is the main fighting deck of the ship and where the 480 sailors lived, is mostly original and many of the timbers in the Orlop deck area are. It does'nt sound as though much of the ship is left, but if you take into account that she was completed in 1765 and only expected to last 20 or 30 years and being made of wood has meant that the RN having to carry out refits and restorations during her working life and later - so to say we've still got 20% of timbers that are over 200 years old, when you consider the ship was in water from 1765 until 1922, unsurprisingly a lot of it has been decayed and needed to be replaced.
Why has the Victory never been officially taken out of service? Because they still feel that the ship fulfils a Service role. She is seen as the centrepiece of the Royal Navy and the traditions that were maintained then are still maintained today in the Royal Navy, which is excellence at sea.
102nd CO focus on the Trafalgar weekend itself and with Trafalgar Day that year falling on a Friday, it is hoped there will be a national holiday to allow people to watch and participate in events. The ship will be hoisting Nelson's famous signal "England expects every man to do his duty" and I would like to see the Battle of Trafalgar reenacted by local school children in the arena next to the ship. As well as a series of major Trafalgar Night dinners, a major musical event is planned for the Royal Albert Hall on the Saturday, 22nd followed on the Sunday by a national Sea Cadet parade in Trafalgar Square. One of the main opportunities that the bi-centenary offers is to raise awareness of the importance of the sea to the general population - and especially the young people of today. How many of them realise that a high percentage of goods on sale are transported by sea?
Is the Victory still a popular tourist attraction?
What plans are there for the bicentenary of Trafalgfar in 2005?
Oh yes, without doubt. HMS Victory is probably the most famous ship in the world and representative with the Royal Navy, Nelson, Battle of Trafalgar and Portsmouth. Today the ship is presented as part of a single site ticket
Finally, how do you feel about eventually becoming the longest serving Commander of HMS Victory?
To date, plans for both local and national events are still at an early stage. However, it is anticipated that events will take place that will highlight significant dates throughout the year. Obviously there will be a major
I feel it will be a great honour and I will be very proud to achieve that mantle. I never would have thought that when I joined the Royal Navy in 1972 as an ordinary Seaman Radar
that I would end my career as Commanding Officer of the oldest commissioned warship in the world.
i_l Merrick Trevaskis (15), a student at Priory School, Portsmouth, was on a fortnight's work experience with Navy News.
Is seen as the centrepiece of the Royal Navy . . . the traditions that were maintained then are still maintained today'
CALL SEWILLS DIRECT
08707 522444 Lines open Mon - i-'n 8.00.irn - 5.00pm and Sat (during busy periods) 10.00am 4.00pm Answcrphone outside these hours. Or complete and fax/post the coupon below. 1-'ax on 0151 934 1444 or post to:
Sewills Sales, FREEPOST LV 7185, PO Box 82, Rootle L20 1YW. VISIT us AT: www.sewills.com For a full product catalogue please telephone 0151 934 1445
Indoor Weatherstation.
Weather Station
The fascination of the weather is something that affects us all. This compact Weatherstation is the ideal instrument for all "weather watchers". The mahogany base and acrylic dome house this fascinating instrument. The lower part of the instrument measures relative humidity (percentage of moisture in the air). The middle section the temperature in degrees Centigrade and the upper pan measures Barometric pressure in Millibars. An added feature of this beautiful instrument has to be the fully functional barometer movement on top of the instrument.
This impressive instrument weighs 6(K)g (1.30 pounds). Dial diameter = 70mm. CaseHousing= I60mm x 11Omm. Order Ref: 3026
I wish to reserve the following: I
uulcrstarki th.it I need send no money now jnd that 1 will be invoiced tor the appropriate amount on acceptance ot'mv order
Mr/Mrs/Miss Address Postcode To help us facilitate delivery please ensure you enter your telephone number Daytime:
Hveninn:
C()[>l
PRODUCT
•W)2d
Indoor \\V-.iihiTMJiion
Code NNWS1 102
mO I . U H
QTY
TOT.M
Packing, iiMirana1 & ddnvrv
£15.5(1
Total
• "One of the main opportunities that the bi-centenary offers is to raise awareness of the importance of the sea" - Lt Cdr Frank Nowosielski talks to Merrick Trevaskis
You nuy rcnini ymir gixxls within 7 J.iv. iil'r«\vir>t tiir ,im rc.ivim ,nnl have a full rctiind nr n'jil.iccmciit
Joseph Sewill Limited, PO Box 82, Rootle, Liverpool, L20 1YW Tel: 08707 522444