Figurehead of the HMS Windsor Castle

Description: A half-length figure representing a young Queen Victoria crowned and holding an orb and sceptre. She wears bracelets and the collar of the Order of the Garter. Roses, a shamrock and a thistle are carved around the base.
Maker: Hellyer
Date made: 1854
Place made: Portsmouth
Size
Materials
Object history: When gunnery training moved ashore in 1907, the figurehead was set up in the RN Barracks at Devonport and later at the Royal Naval Engineering College at Manadon. Somewhere in this process her identity became confused and she was given a shield naming her as HMS Royal Adelaide-a mistake that was eventually discovered and rectified. When the Engineering College closed in 1994, the figurehead went to the shore based gunnery range, HMS Cambridge at Wembury until its closure in 2001. It was then moved to the Plymouth Naval Base Museum in the South Yard of HM Naval Base, Devonport.
Vessel history: Laid down at Pembroke as Victoria in 1844. Renamed 'Windsor Castle' and converted to steam propulsion on the stocks. In 1869 she was renamed HMS 'Cambridge' and replaced another ship of the same name as a gunnery school at Plymouth. After the school moved onshore in 1907, the following year she was sold for breaking up.
Bibliography: David Pulvertaft 'Figureheads Of The Royal Navy' (Seaforth 2011) p.192 and p.193

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