State Barge of Charles II

The State Barge of Charles II is a British royal barge constructed around 1670 for the use of Charles II, for events now known as fleet reviews. In January 1806 it was used to carry the coffin of Horatio Nelson, 1st [Viscount Nelson|Lord Nelson] to St [Paul's Cathedral] for his funeral. By about 1870 it was on display on HMS Victory, where it remained until the 1920s when it was removed during Victory's restoration. It is currently kept in the National Museum of the [Royal Navy, Portsmouth|National Museum of the Royal Navy] in Portsmouth.

Design

The barge is a type of boat known as a shallop; it has a rounded bow and a square-shaped stern. It has rowlocks for five oars on each side. The stern has a portrait of the Duchess of Portsmouth, Louise de Kerouaille, a mistress of Charles II.