Hms victory first rate seaforth historic ships series hms victory is probably the best known historic ship in the world a symbol of the royal navy s achievements during the great age of sail she is based in portsmouth and seen by tens of thousands of visitors each year. The first victory was an elizabethan merchant ship that was transformed into a race built galleon over the years a total of seven have borne the name but it is the last that is most remembered and remains the oldest warship still in commission in any navy