It is believed he spent two years in civil practice before joining HMS Victory.

BBC: Medals of Lord Nelson's surgeon auctioned

It was displayed at an exhibition in 1891 and then onboard HMS Victory for the centenary of Trafalgar in 1905.

BBC: NEWS | UK | England | Hampshire | Nelson's topsail goes on display

"Some of them are from as far back as 1905, for instance the one showing the HMS Victory docked in Portsmouth, " he added.

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Manufactured in the sail loft at Chatham in 1803, the sail remained on HMS Victory until the ship returned for repairs after the Battle of Trafalgar in1806.

BBC: NEWS | UK | England | Hampshire | Nelson's topsail goes on display

The oldest is the HMS Victory, which sank in a storm in 1744, and went to the bottom of the sea with as much as 100, 000 ounces of gold.

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In 1804, when an outbreak of yellow fever swept Gibraltar, ultimately causing almost 6, 000 deaths, Lord Nelson discharged Sir George from HMS Victory and appointed him superintendent of the territory's naval hospital.

BBC: Medals of Lord Nelson's surgeon auctioned

It was many years later discovered in a sail loft at Victory barracks, now HMS Nelson, in 1960, covered by gym mats.

BBC: NEWS | UK | England | Hampshire | Nelson's topsail goes on display