First known ships launched from Portsmouth dockyard, The “Sweepstake”, costing £120 and “Mary Fortune”, costs £110. “Sweepstake” survived until 1511 when she was rebuilt as “Katherine Pomegranate”. The second ship in the dry... more information
Saw the building of the Mary Rose and Peter Pomegranate at Portsmouth.
The Mary Rose became flagship of the King‟s Fleet She was later rebuilt in the Dockyard. Along... more information
Charter granted by Henry VIII and Portsmouth became a building centre for the Kings ships. He was the first king to build warships design to repel and invasion fleet at... more information
Henry VIII reviewed ships before Lord Howard of Effingham sailed with 25 ships to fight the French at Brest on 10th August where “Regent” (See 1497) was lost by fire.
Saw facilities for victualling the fleet, built at the town in the form of five brewhouses, “to supply the army and navy with ‘a good beverage’ (a gallon per head... more information
Henry VIII paid £400 for a great naval storehouse at Portchester Castle. Completed in 1527. The navy, at this date, consisted of 16 ships totalling 7,260 tons (See 1517).
Heavy iron chain to draw across the harbour entrance ordered by the King - Ye Mightie Chaine of Yron. (Some links of a later chain are on show in Southsea... more information
French cut out a Flemish ship in Portsmouth harbour. “Mary Rose” remodelled to 700 tons, she became the first ship with broadside firing heavy guns. This was the prototype of ship... more information
Southsea Castle commenced building to protect the approach channel to the harbour where it turns at right angles and follows the shoreline. Completed in 1544. (See 1628, 1759, 1975)
Early map of Portsmouth town, showing houses, 4 great brewing houses for naval beer, and the names of property owners. In 1540 John Leland, antiquary and spy for the King, described Portsmouth’... more information
Expenses of the King’s ships were £1,425 a month with 1613 seamen serving in the Navy.
About this date John Leland traveller, and spy for King Henry VIII visited Portsmouth and... more information
French invasion fleet of 235 ships attempted to establish a foothold on the Isle of Wight and threatened Portsmouth. The King assembled a large army on Southsea Common. Fleet action off... more information
The Navy Board was established by Royal Patent, appointing civil officers as Commissioners to serve under the Lord High Admiral as lieutenants of Admiralty, Treasure of Marine Causes, Comptroller, Surveyor,... more information
List of Navy ships made in January describes 20 ships, 15 galleys, 10 pinnaces and 13 row barges…the greatest part of the fleet then in Portsmouth harbour. (i.e. 12 ships, 13 galleys, 6 pinnaces & 10... more information
The whole fleet except “Henry Grace à Dieu” assembled in Portsmouth. 53 ships manned by 5,136 seamen, 1,885 soldiers and 759 gunners.
Charter granted to town by Edward VI.
Edward VI reviewed his fleet and criticised the fortifications of Portsmouth. An inventory of the fleet lists 24 ships and pinnaces in good repair; 7 ships to be docked and 4 in dry... more information
A “great and terrible ffyer” destroyed the Naval Storehouse in King Street destroying 26,000 cask hoops, coopers tools and 100 tons of empty casks. (See 1576) The King Street Bakery ceased operation and... more information
Plague killed more than half of the population of Portsmouth and the surrounding area. (See 1349, 1625 and 1665/6)
Navy list of 27 ships and pinnaces with 3,565 crew costing £1,436 per month in wages and £1,782... more information
In August of 1560 Richard Popynjay was appointed Surveyor of Portsmouth and started to re-plan many parts of its fortification. There is no doubt that this was much delayed by plague... more information
Charter granted by Elizabeth I who visited Portsmouth, reviewed the fleet and ordered the fortifications re-built. The cost was defrayed by the first national lottery in 1569 which raised £200,000. Work on... more information
Royal Commission ordered the high handed Military Governor Sir Adrian Poynings to respect the authority of the Mayor and Corporation. Navy consisted of 29 ships and others vessels.
Square Tower used as a magazine until 1779 (See 1773). Twenty-one warships in harbour manned by 3,559 marines and 1,646 soldiers. A new wharf built in the Dockyard.
Roanoak colony establish in Virginia. This was the first English colony to be established in the new world and was commanded by Ralph Lane. After setting up the Colony he... more information
Spanish Armada passed Isle of Wight on 24th July. Portsmouth supplied and revictualled the shadowing English fleet. Navy had 34 ships totalling 12,590 tons with 6,279 crew.
Queen Elizabeth dies and is succeeded by James I (or James VI of Scotland). He had a nick name of the British Solomon, “the wisest fool in Christendom‟.
A commission of Master Shipwrights and Brethren of Trinity House came to evaluate Portsmouth as a Naval Harbour. The party caught ship fever and one Master shipwright died. Their views... more information
Dry dock filled with rubble (See 1495 and 1523) King James I visited Portsmouth and reviewed the fleet. The Prince of Wales (later Charles I) landed here on his return from France ... more information
Charles I visited the town and reviewed the fleet and saw off the ill fated expedition to La Rochelle.
The Duke of Buckingham caused estimates to be prepared for the... more information
Southsea Castle badly damaged by fire (See 1538, 1544, 1759)
Duke of Buckingham, Lord High Admiral, murdered by John Felton, a disgruntled soldier. Felton laid in wait and stabbed the Duke to death... more information
Master Shipwright Edward Boate was ordered to reside at Portsmouth permanently. (Previous to this Master Shipwright only visited) One of the reasons for the reluctance to re-adopt Portsmouth as permanent... more information
Colonel Goring (Governor of Portsmouth) declares for the King. Lord Clarendon in speaking in Parliament Declared: “From the Governor of a place that had the reputation of being the only... more information
England was proclaimed a Commonwealth or a “Free state”. It was during this time that the size of the navy almost doubled. In 1649 Colonel William Willoughby of the Parliamentary Army... more information
46 gun ship “Portsmouth” (600 tons) launched here. Between 1649 and 1659 the Commonwealth built 207 new warships. Shipwrights ordered not to remove oddments of timber from the Dockyard and were paid one penny a... more information
Admiral Blake won a sea battle against the Dutch off the Isle of Wight. 11 warships, 30 merchant ships and 1,000 Dutch prisoners were captured. “Hampshire” (640 tons) launched from Dockyard. Naval expenditure at... more information
Mutiny in fleet because of bad food and conditions. (See 1783 and 1797)
On Christmas Day Admiral Penn sailed with a 38 ship squadron and 3,000 soldiers on expedition to the West Indies.
Navy consisted of 157 ships and vessels manned by 21,910 men.
Double Dry Dock completed.
New Single Dock ordered to be built and 2 acres added to the Dockyard
“Portsmouth” (468 tons, 2nd ship of that name built here) launched (See 1650).
5,000 strong garrisons marched to London to aid Parliament and support the return of Charles II.
Restoration of Charles II who visited Portsmouth with his mother Henrietta Maria.
Navy had 154 ships and lesser craft totalling 57,463 tons. All were in a shocking state of disrepair.
August. A... more information
HRH James, Duke of York made Governor of Portsmouth until 1673. In may Samuel Pepys visited Dockyard accompanied by his wife Elizabeth and clerk John Creed.
Queen and Princess embarked for... more information
The Navy Commissioners did not always pay their bills as this letter from a contractor states. John Timbrell to the Navy Commissioners. Has neither stock nor credit, and the workmen... more information
Samuel Pepys visits Portsmouth and stayed with an old friend. “The Doctor (Dr. Clerke) and I lay together at Wiard’s the chyrureons (surgeons) in Portsmouth; his wife is a... more information
Estimate by John Tippetts of the charge of building a storehouse in Portsmouth Dockyard: total £672. With approval of Sir Geo Carteret and Sir John Mennes. (see 4th December)
Samuel Pepys, (Clerk of the Acts or Secretary to the Navy Board since 1660), on a visit to Portsmouth dockyard was made a Town Burgess.
Pepys’s diary records:“and with... more information
1662 saw great rejoicing in Portsmouth when King Charles married the Infanta, Catherine of Braganza in the old Domus Dei. A glimpse of this love match can be gained in their... more information
John Tippetts to James Newman. The wet weather delays the storehouse; the oar maker will make the rafters into oars at 5s the 100 feet, if paid ready money.
A further 8 acres added to the Dockyard on the south side to provide the site for a wooden Great Ropehouse see (1704 etc) of 1,000 ft length running parallel with an existing... more information
Charles II and the Duke of York visited Portsmouth. Twenty captured Dutch merchantmen brought into Portsmouth as prizes.
Royal Marines established.
Warrant to pay to Col: Wm. Legg, Lieutenant of... more information
John Tippetts to the Navy Commissioners. Thinks that the earth for the Ordnance Wharf may be digged, carried, and spread, for 8d a load.
Progress of the New Mast Dock, ... more information
Ye Mighty Chanie of Yron. From John Tippets, Master Shipwright at Portsmouth.
“These are to certifie that Edward Silvester of Gosport, Smyth, hath given Securitie for the making and laying... more information
1665 the Great Plague of London had not yet reached Portsmouth when Commissioner Middleton, writes to Pepys:
“Where I am now, wee are forced to packe nyne people in a roome... more information
Dockyard Commissioners House. Thomas Middleton to Samuel Pepys: “Details of a new house to be built for myself, with accommodation for any of the Commissioners when they come down.” (It... more information
Pepys to the Duke of Albemarle by appointment to give him an account of some disorder at the Yard at Portsmouth - by workmen going away of their own accord... more information
A Royal Commission was granted to the Portsmouth Governor and other Principal Officers to purchase land around Portsmouth and the Dockyard to build fortification. These were set out to the... more information
Dockyard Commissioners House. Middleton to Pepys. Cannot imagine that his present house was built only for himself: is content with a good bed to lie on, a hammock to sleep... more information
Dockyard Commissioners House. Middleton to Pepys. Requires 350 for furnishing his new house: promises to send an inventory of things purchased. If more than the sum be laid out, will pay... more information
From Commissioner Middleton to Pepys. The sawyers who had been on strike and in consequence discharged, had petitioned to be employed as labourers, and the Commissioners comment: “Sweet is any... more information
Parliament voted £600,000 to build 30 new ships some of which were built at Portsmouth.
Hugh Salesbury to Willamson. Three vessels have come to refit. The Garrison fortifications will be concluded in... more information
New defences designed by Bernard de Gomme (See 1662) commenced. Dutch prisoners of war provided much of the labour. (Map showing de Gommes design in British Museum)
Colonel Thomas Middleton appointed... more information
Samuel Pepys visited Portsmouth Dockyard in July with Lord Brouncker and Commissioner Tippetts of the Navy Board to meet King Charles II. With Anthony Deane they set out to survey... more information
Charles II visited Portsmouth to inspect progress on new defence and to review an allied fleet of nearly 100 ships with 6,000 guns and 34,000 men. The English and French fleet, as allies,... more information
Anthony Deane promoted to Commissioner of the Dockyard. In January “Resolution”, a 3rd rate, was about to set sail when the Yeoman of the Powder Room decided to inspect the... more information
Navy Board ordered the Master Shipwright and the Clerk of the Cheque to cut dockyard staff to: -
Shipwrights 120 Joiners 12 Clerk of the Survey 1
Caulkers 20 Bricklayers 5 Pitch Heaters 1
Oakum boys 8... more information
The King was very pleased with two yachts designed and built by Anthony Deane for use by Louis XIV on his lake at Versailles. These were delivered to France by... more information
Nine more acres added to the dockyard on the east side.
Samuel Pepys totally reformed victualling of the Navy and established new victualling standards. Payment for victuals was at the... more information
Samuel Pepys with Lord Dartmouth sailed from Portsmouth in August aboard “Grafton”. Their mission was to evacuate and destroy Tangier. After a holiday in Spain Pepys and Dartmouth sailed for... more information
Early in November Samuel Pepys requested Sir Anthony Deane to propose a plan to save the Navy. His report was that out of a total of 179 ships of all sizes 142... more information
Navy had 173 ships (including 8 hulks) of 101,892 tons with 42,000 mariners .
Surgeon appointed to the Dockyard. Workmen contributed 2d a month to his ay. (See 1854,1875,1918)
The Commissioner wrote to the Porter, Mr C. Breckwith ( He lived in the Porters Lodge just inside the Dockyard Gate):-
“ whereas I find inconvenience ariseth to ye great prejudice... more information
