NationStates Jolt Archive

With Parliament's recent acquisition of the English ship of the line HMS Victory and sailing the historic warship to Nicksia's Naval Museum, Curator David Hancock Porter happened upon an interesting idea.

He sent a telegram to his highest-level contact in Praetonia:

We have acquired and provided maintenance for the great warship
HMS Victory, a 100 gun first rate ship of the line. However, since the
ship does not have a direct connection to Sarzonian history, we have
decided to provide it to our allies with the most direct ties to that great
vessel.

We would like to sail HMS Victory to Praetonia as a gift from the
Incorporated States of Sarzonia to her Praetonian friends. To do this, we
would need to have a naval escort to ensure the ship's safe passage. Once
we reach Praetonian waters, we will allow Victory to sail unescorted in
Praetonian waters until she reaches a suitable port if that is in accordance
with your customs and your military protocols.

To: Curator David Hancock Porter
From: Tullius Varro, MP

When I received your telegram I could scarcely believe my eyes! We would be
delighted to take such a valuable and historic ship. We will provide all the help
we can in bringing it safely to Praeton, where it can be bearthed and preserved
as a museum in safety from the extreme weather that sometimes plagues the
outer rim of the nation. Again, I cannot that you enough and I will talk to
Parliament about gifting a ship to Sarzonia. I'm not yet sure, but we may be able
to give you the PWS Feudal, a Vanguard Class battleship which,
ironically, fired on Praeton and brought the civil war against the old Fuedal
monarchs to an end on the Parliamentary side. Anyway, I will get back to you
soon.

[OOC note: This will be a closed RP.]

The scene aboard the historic warship was as loaded with pomp and circumstance as a country at war could possibly allow. The Victory would furl its sails once more and set its course to meet with its new destiny. Sitting in the very cabin where Lord Nelson once sat, Fleet Admiral Marcus Patinkin prepared the final words of his speech. As the highest-ranking military commander in all of Sarzonia, the government chose him to give the ship its ceremonial send off.

He finally walked out, wearing a replica of a uniform from the Battle of Trafalgar. Even though the fabric was quite uncomfortable, he decided to make the best of the situation.

"Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of Mr. Porter and the Naval Museum, and the Navy Department itself, it is my distinct honour to wish Godspeed to the great HMS Victory as she unfurls her sails and sets her course to join the descendants of the heroes who once plied her decks."

Stepping forward was Commander David McDonough, also dressed in a naval uniform of the period. His uniform was that of a Master Commandant. Next to him was Commodore Lindsay Perry Davenport, who would serve as the commanding officer of the squadron.

"We accept your gracious wishes and we bid you Godspeed," Davenport said.

"Thank you, sir," McDonough replied.

"Ms. Davenport, you are to command the squadron and ensure safe passage for the Victory. Mr. McDonough, you are in command of the ship herself. May fortune favour us and our friends."

With that, Patinkin left the Victory, and the great ship's sails once again filled with the wind. A tugboat would be along to ensure that Victory would make due time, but Victory would also have its chance to ply the waters under its own sail once they approached Praetonia.

After several days of sailing along with the tugboat pulling it along, the squadron approached the boundary where international waters ended and Praetonian waters began. Aboard the Victory herself, McDonough used a hand-held device given to him to prevent the addition of modern-day equipment that would have sullied the traditional look of the warship of old.

"This is Commander, er -- Master Commandant David McDonough, temporary master of the HMS Victory. I humbly request your escort to Praeton as Sarzonian vessels remain outside your waters as we deliver her to her new home.

"I am indeed greatly honoured to be granted this opportunity to provide you with a gift on behalf of the Sarzonian people in commemoration of the great friendship that exists between our countries."

McDonough patiently awaited the reply.

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