HMS Trincomalee, the oldest warship still afloat in Europe dominates the authentically recreated historic quayside that is the home of the Royal Navy Museum in Hartlepool.
Now 200 years old, HMS Trincomalee is one of the last survivors of the sailing Navy and a fine example of the classic British frigate.
She was built in 1817 at the end of a long period of conflict and after Admiral Nelson’s victory over the French and Spanish at the Battle of Trafalgar. Trincomalee never saw combat and the period of peace in which she worked saw great advances in the Royal Navy, both technical and organisational. She travelled over 100,000 miles over the world, in extremes of climate, and undertook duties that included policing, protection and exploration.
Now restored to her 1817 appearance, HMS Trincomalee still retains the evidence of adaptations made during her years of service, first as a naval ship and in later years as a training and holiday ship for yound people. As such, she is a unique and beautiful survivor.*
*from the The National Museum Royal Navy Hartlepool guidebook
