Dockyard Timeline

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

Receipts show that £1175, 14 s and 2 pence were spent on the kings ship Sovereigne.

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.

King Henry VIII‟s navy, in the ninth year of his reign, was 21 ships.

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

Thomas Jermyn appointed Keeper of the Dock at Portsmouth at a salary of one shilling a day with sixpence a day for a clerk.

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

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

Appointment of Clerk of the Stores at Portsmouth.

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

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

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

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

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.

Navy Storehouse in King Street again destroyed by fire (See 1557 and 1784)

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.

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 granted 2nd charter

Navy consisted of 41 ships which reduced to 36 by 1607, and 39 by 1618 when 13 of these were decayed or unserviceable.

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

Portsmouth again badly affected by plague (See 1349, 1558, 1563 and 1665/6)

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

Phineas Pett, Master Shipbuilder and William Burrell, Master Shipwright surveyed the ships at Portsmouth in May.

Sale of Portchester Castle to a private owner (See 904)

Order issued that no buildings be built within 40ft of the Dockyard wall and that 19 no thatched roofs be used in the Dockyard (See 1703)

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

Navy had 98 ships of all classes. Prince Rupert left England with 25 ships which never returned.

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.

Double Dock built north of the Graving Dock completed in 1658 (lost when Basin No.1 extended in 1800) “Pelican” (38 guns) accidentally burned

“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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Middleton to Pepys. No part of England is better suited for docks than Portsmouth.

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

Mast House built behind Main Gate. Part remained until destroyed by bombing in World War II.

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

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

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

30 ships being built for the Navy, some at Portsmouth.

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)