The stem forms the front-most part of Victory’s hull at the bow. It is joined to internal extensions of the keel known as the keelson and stemson. The stem survives more or less in its original form. It is an extremely complicated element, made up of curved shaped timbers.

The protruding part of the bow structure, known as the beakhead, was changed a great deal both before and after Trafalgar. These external timbers are now mostly modern, but the underlying stem is still in place.