HMS Trincomalee (Training Ship Foudroyant)

Restoration of HMS Trincomalee, built in Bombay in 1817 for the Admiralty, is the oldest ship afloat in the UK and the last surviving example of a commissioned frigate of the Nelson era. It was the frigate of these times that has spawned so much literature and film, with the books of O'Brian, tv series of Hornblower and more recently the box office hit Master and Commander. The only place remaining for the public to now see and experience the 'real thing' is with HMS Trincomalee at the Historic Quay at Hartlepool in NE England. This ship policed British interests throughout the world during the 1850's and was later used as a Navy training drill ship in [West] Hartlepool and other major ports. She was sold in 1897 and used for educational training in Falmouth and later in Portsmouth, and her name was changed to Foudroyant. After a brief re-commission during the second world war, the training role with youngsters continued at Portsmouth until 1986, by which time the ship was in poor condition. The Trustees of the Foudroyant Trust decided to attempt the restoration of the Ship and Hartlepool was chosen as the location largely because the shipwright skills were available.