The State Barge of Charles II is a 35-foot-long (11 m) British royal barge constructed around 1670 for the use of Charles II, for events now known as fleet reviews.[1] In January 1806 it was used to carry the coffin of Lord Nelson to St Paul's Cathedral for his funeral.[1] By about 1870 it was on display on HMS Victory, where it remained until the 1920s when it was removed during Victory's restoration.[2] It is currently kept in the National Museum of the Royal Navy in Portsmouth.[3]
Design
editThe barge is a type of boat known as a shallop; it has a rounded bow and a square-shaped stern (known as a lute stern).[1] It has rowlocks for five oars on each side.[2] The stern has a portrait of the Duchess of Portsmouth, Louise de Kerouaille, a mistress of Charles II.[3]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Curators choice: The Royal Barge". National Museum of the Royal Navy. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ a b "State Barge of Charles II". www.royalnavalmuseum.org. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
- ^ a b voyagerofhistory (29 May 2020). "Royal Boats owned by Charles II". Voyager of History. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
External links
edit
Media related to State Barge of Charles II at Wikimedia Commons
