Ship's Carpenter

The Carpenter

The Ship's Carpenter

The ship’s carpenter had to be a competent craftsman, capable of building a ship’s boat or a new mast.

In charge of all repairs, he informed the captain of the state of the ship’s hull, masts, yards and decks.

He sounded the ship’s well and regularly checked for leakage and ensured the pumps were clean and in good working order.

In battle he and his mates plugged shot holes and made whatever repairs possible.

William Bunce (Carpenter)

Bunce, William. Rank: Carpenter, ship’s book number S958, age 25, nationality British, received a Government grant of £108-12-0 and prize money of £44-4-6. He joined Victory on 9th April 1803 when she was in the Ordinary (Reserve Fleet). After Trafalgar he stayed with the ship and took her into refit at Chatham Dockyard.

Bunce was one of the senior Warrant officers on board Victory and as the carpenter he had great responsibility for the maintenance and up keep of her hull and all her fittings which included the masts and yardarms to keep her seaworthy. To help him in his task he had mates (assistants) and they would be told by Bunce what was required of them.

In battle Bunce and his mates would be stationed below decks and below the waterline to repair damage as it happened. Their main job would be to keep Victory afloat if she was badly damaged and get her safely into harbour for major repairs.

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