The Thames Nelson Flotilla
Release date: 16/08/2005

The Thames Nelson Flotilla is a faithful recreation of Lord Nelson's funeral procession on 8 January 1806. It involves up to 40 traditional oared craft, including HMS Victory's Cutter, the Jubilant, shallops and barges from the City livery companies, including the Royal Thames and Lady Mayoress, and Thames Cutters. They will be arranged and dressed to closely recreate the order and appearance of the original procession, and will carry equivalent VIPs, such as the Lord Mayor of London, the Lord Mayor of Westminster, the masters of the livery companies and the First Sea Lord.

They may also carry descendants from the Battle of Trafalgar. The Havengore, the motor vessel that carried Sir Winston Churchill's coffin in 1965 precede the procession, accompanied by Dunkirk Little Ships. The Royal Navy is also providing two guard ships. At 10.30 on 16 September The New Trafalgar Dispatch will be ceremonially taken from the Painted Hall at Greenwich and placed aboard the Jubilant for the journey up river.

At HQS Welington it will be presented to St. Paul's Cathedral, where Nelson is buried, by the First Sea Lord. The elaborate departure ceremony involves the Sea Cadet Corps and HMS President.