Acres Helps Keep HMS Victory Ship-Shape

We recently supplied several sets of our heavy-duty StrongHold Trestles to support HMS Victory’s massive masts and yards (spars) during vital conservation work at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

Some of the spars measure up to 23 metres long and weigh up to 2.5 tonnes.

The project, known as HMS Victory: The Big Repair, is the most significant conservation programme in the ship’s 250-year history. Despite the scale of the work, the vessel remains open to visitors, giving the public a rare opportunity to see heritage being preserved in real time.

Stuart Sheldon, Lead Rigger on the project, said:

“Acres’ willingness to explore options and provide the best value for money was very reassuring. The trestles have ensured the spars can be safely and efficiently inspected, and their aftercare has been excellent.”

We also donated an additional set of trestles to further support the conservation work.

Luke Parker, Managing Director of Acres Engineering, said:

“It is an honour for our team to support the restoration of HMS Victory. To be part of preserving such a national icon — and to release this news as the country commemorates Trafalgar Day — makes us especially proud.”

This announcement follows our recent visit to the Houses of Parliament for the Ada Lovelace Day reception, where the we added our voice to the call for greater diversity and opportunity in UK manufacturing.

Both moments highlight Acres’ growing contribution to British industry and heritage — combining traditional engineering skill with modern purpose and responsibility.

HMS Victory remains the flagship of the First Sea Lord and a world-class visitor attraction, drawing hundreds of thousands of people each year.

More information about HMS Victory and tickets, visit: www.nmrn.org.uk

Stuart’s testimonial in full:

“After over 250 years of service in the Royal Navy, HMS Victory is undergoing the most comprehensive conservation project in her recent history to ensure that she is fit to fulfil her duties as flagship of the First Sea Lord, a unique historical asset as an exemplar of the First-Rate warships from the Age of Sail and a worldclass visitor attraction for decades to come. The work presents a once in a lifetime opportunity for visitors to see the National Museum of the Royal Navy’s (NMRN) skilled workforce undertaking the tasks involved in replacing decayed planking and frames, and stabilising the historical timbers as the ship remains open to the public throughout the project.

In order to return Victory to her former glory the rigging department is undertaking a systematic condition survey of her masts and yards (spars) to better understand the conservation work required before they are re-instated in the ship. The majority of the spars are stored within the Historic Ships Workshop, a Grade II* listed building within HM Naval Base Portsmouth that was previously the Naval Ropewalk. The building has a long narrow profile which makes it good for storing the spars but limits the footprint available to undertake the detailed inspections of the 36 different spars which vary in size and weight from the Quarter Boat Davits (4m at 180kg) to the Mizzen Driver Boom (23m at 2,500kg).

To enable the condition survey’s the spars needed to be placed on supports to provide all round access, at a suitable height for prolonged inspection and in some cases supports needed to hold several spars to maximise floor space usage. After searching around and having initial conversations with several suppliers, Acres Engineering stepped up with their StrongHold 10T Trestles.

As our initial requirements were well within the 10T capacity of Acres off the shelf trestles they offered to investigate if fabricating a lighter product would offer any savings to us. It transpired that a lighter product would not represent a significant saving to the NMRN but as the standard trestles are designed to be easily assembled and handled this did not present an issue; and the extra capacity offered increased confidence and adaptability for future works. Acres willingness to investigate how to provide NMRN with the best value for money was very reassuring that we were dealing with a customer driven company who wanted to connect with us and ensure they provided an excellent and tailored service. Upon placing our order Acres offered to donate a set of trestles to further support our work as part of HMS Victory:The Big Repair.

The StrongHold trestles were quickly shipped and arrived flat packed meaning that assembly was a simple process. Using them to undertake the survey work has ensured that the spars are at an ergonomic height for inspection and working on. Whilst not in use they are easily stacked to minimise storage space. Acres have provided excellent after purchase services by engaging with NMRN to discuss bespoke accessories that would further improve the use of the trestles for the work we are undertaking. It is an excellent example of how working with a small dedicated team that are focused on delivering outstanding engineering solutions provides you with efficient cost effective options.”

Stuart Sheldon – Lead Rigger (HMS Victory)

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Acres have a range of standard products but also support clients with custom machinery and medium-high volume products such as trolleys, stillages etc. 

We have manufactured lots of different tables / workstations / workbenches for various industries.

We also manufacture access platforms, jigs and fixtures and many other types of production support solutions / products. 

Talk to us today about your requirements: [email protected] / 01332695240 / Contact Us Form

 

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