HMS Victory, which has been in dry dock for almost a century, is once again "afloat" – but not on the water. Instead, it is being supported by a high-tech system that prevents the 255-year-old ship from sagging under its own weight by mimicking the pressure of the sea pushing against the vessel's hull and keel.

Will HMS Victory ever float again?

HMS Victory 'National Treasure' conservation project reaches major milestone as new state of the art support system is unveiled in time for Portsmouth Historic Dockyard reopening on the 24 August.

When was HMS Victory last afloat?

Final years afloat

In 1812 she was relocated to the mouth of Portsmouth Harbour off Gosport, for service as a floating depot and, from 1813 to 1817, as a prison ship. Major repairs were undertaken in 1814, including the fitting of 3 ft 10 in (1.2 m) metal braces along the inside of her hull, to strengthen the timbers.