4th August. Following the German invasion of Belgium, Great Britain declared war on Germany.
The garrison and coastal defences are put on a high state of alert. At the beginning... more information
31st January. Just after 2200 a fire broke out in the Building Shed covering the slipways engulfing the Mould Loft Floor, Erection Shed, and the roof of the building slip. Large... more information
29th April. The last battleship to be built at Portsmouth HMS Royal Sovereign was launched without ceremony. She was one of a class of five ships that were a slight... more information
16th November. Submarines J.1 and J.2. were floated up from where they were built in No.13 Dry Dock. The naming ceremony was performed by the Honourable Cynthia Cadgow, stepdaughter to... more information
23rd January. A fire started in the Electrical Shop in the Dockyard. By the combined efforts of the Dockyard and Corporation Fire Brigades it was brought under control but not... more information
31st May. Portsmouth and the Dockyard were shocked at the list of ships sunk during the battle and details of the crews as “All Lost” saw many distressing sight at... more information
16th September. A Zeppelin flying over the Dockyard dropped four bombs. One narrowly missed HMS “Victory” and another fell near HMS Renown” in dry dock. No damage occurred.
Food supplies were greatly reduced in consequence of the activities of German submarines. The government insisted that bread should be sold by the pound and not until twelve hours after... more information
22nd January. The first WRNS volunteers came from women working in the Dockyard and the Division was formed. Later Dame Katherine Furse came to Whale Island to establish a depot... more information
23rd October. Dame Agnes Weston died. She is often described as “Mother of the Navy”.
All who heard the news was greatly saddened by it, and the Admiralty accorded her... more information
The war record of the Dockyard was revealed for the first time by the Dockyard’s General Manager, Mr. John Apsey (Later Sir John).
From the commencement of hostilities to... more information
15th August. The Government approved the “Ten-year Rule”. A policy not abandoned until 1933 which instructed the services to cast their future estimates on the assumption that there would not be... more information
The Price of Peace. The Admiralty announced that there were to be large discharges from Portsmouth Dockyard; these were inevitable but hard to live with. The Admiralty agreed to spread... more information
The total number of the Hampshire Regiment to have fallen in the Great War was 7,176. Of these 1,375 belonged to the Portsmouth Battalions, the majority of which came from the Dockyard.
September. The Nab Tower was sunk in position and replaced the Nab Light ship. During 1918 the Admiralty planned to close the Straits of Dover to all but friendly shipping and... more information
8th June. The cruiser Effingham was launched from the Dockyard by the Marchioness of Salisbury. She was laid down on 6th April 1917 but with the coming of peace all work... more information
20th January. Submarine K5, sank off Lands End with loss of her crew of 57; 33 were from Portsmouth.
The submarine was participating in the Atlantic Fleet exercises. She was last seen... more information
The Dockyard Bell that was cast in 1791 and rang out the in and out musters of the Dockyard rang for the last time this year when sirens were introduced. The... more information
12th January. HMS “Victory” towed from her berth in Portsmouth Harbour to a permanent berth in No. 2 Dry Dock where restoration was commenced (see 1765, 1805 and 1928).
Local artist W. L. Wyllie ... more information
22nd October. At the end of the war the pressing need was to rebuild the country’s merchant fleet and in consequence many ships building for the Royal Navy were... more information
4thJanuary. ‘M’ caisson on the north wall of No 3 Basin was closed and sealed. This entrance gave access to the basin from Fountain Lake and at one time was the... more information
May. 250 ton German floating crane was handed over to the British Admiralty from Germany under the terms of the Reparations Committee and was a duplicate of the large floating crane,... more information
1st June. The restoration work on HMS Victory was appropriately commenced on the anniversary of the “Glorious First of June”. Earl Howe, a direct descendent of the victor, took an... more information
1st August. Royal Marine Artillery amalgamated with Royal Marine Light Infantry and moved from Gosport to Eastney Barracks (see 1755, 1862, 1870, and 1991).
Fleet Review by King George V. It was a sadly depleted fleet that assembled for this review when compared to that of 16th July 1914. Of the 59 battleships there were but 10.
15th October. The Naval War Memorial built on Clarence Esplanade was unveiled by the Duke of York. It showed the names of 9,279 men & women who died in World War... more information
28th November. The old wooden wall Marlborough that had done good service in the harbour for many years as part of the Vernon establishment, was being towed away to be... more information
September. The Admiralty announced the closure of Pembroke Dockyard and a reduction to care and maintenance at Rosyth. The effect on Portsmouth was cause for concern as employment in the... more information
12th November – while engaged in manoeuvres off Start Point the Portsmouth
based submarine M1 dived and was not seen again. The crew of 68 officers and men all perished.
The All-in Scheme. A movement which began in the Dockyard, and has spread through the town has ensured a great increase in revenue to the Royal Hospital, the Ear and... more information
The Destroyer, HMS TORBAY, berths at South Railway Jetty with the coffin of General Lord Rawlinson of Kent, C-in-C India.
See British Pathe News: http://www.britishpathe.com/video/late-lord-rawlinson... more information
16th February. The cruiser HMS Suffolk was launched from the Dockyard by Marchioness of Bristol. She was the first of the post-war cruisers to be laid down and was a... more information
30th January. The numbers of men and women employed in the Dockyard were:
Captain of the Dockyard: Estbd. 209; Hired men 389; Hired women 36; Total 634
Manager Constructive Dept.(MCD): Estbd. 2146; Hired men 3066;... more information
15th March. Sir Phillip Watts KCB died. He was one of three talented sons of a Dockyard Shipwright holding the post of Timber Inspector of the Yard. Phillip entered the... more information
22nd October – The foundering of the Destroyer HMS Valerian in a hurricane off Bermuda brought sad news to many homes in Portsmouth. The crew were mostly from this port. Of 104... more information
New Coppersmith Shop built just north of the MED Factory. This building is 210 ft. In length by 120 ft wide and was built by the Navy Works department at a cost... more information
New Steel Foundry that was started on 31st March 1925 was opened. This building is situated on the south side of No. 2 Basin. The site had previously been occupied by the... more information
6th January. Duke and Duchess of York embarked in HMS “Renown” for a grand tour of Australia.
Traditional naval ceremonies were observed and the departure was witnessed by thousand of... more information
27th January. Portsmouth gave a splendid send-off to a 1.000 Royal Marines who had been selected for service in China.
They embarked on the Transport Minnesota which left the next day.... more information
14th September. The Lady Mayoress of London performed the christening ceremony at the launching from No. 5 slipway in the Dockyard of the new cruiser HMS London.
Within six days the... more information
29th January. With the cheers of thousands of spectators the new cruiser Dorsetshire took to the water from No. 5 Slipway from where she had been launched by the Countess of... more information
22nd March. The famous marine artist, Mr. W. L. Wyllie, RA., laid the foundation stone to the new naval museum that was situated at the harbour end of an old... more information
A scheme introduced to give Dockyard men six days leave with pay. From 1930 this leave was taken during the first week in August. While the Dockyard was closed Navy Weeks... more information
4th July. New Semaphore Tower, Rangefinder Test House and Rigging House was opened.
It was rebuilt on the foundation of the 1778 Rigging House and Sail loft destroyed by fire in 1913.... more information
26th May. A unprecedented event occurred in the Dockyard. The flags of one Admiral of the Fleet, three Admirals, three Vice-Admirals and two Commodores all flew their flags. The occasion... more information
The Admiralty granted to all Dockyard employees a week’s holiday with full pay; the holiday to coincide with Navy Week which was the first week in August. Navy Week... more information
30th September. The destroyers Crusader and Comet were christened and floated up in No. 13 Dry Dock where they had been built with the Mining School Tender Nightingale. They were the... more information
Sheer Jetty reconstructed in April. This jetty takes its name from the masting sheer legs that were built there between 1835-37 and were 142 ft. high. One of the hinge plates... more information
6th July. The destroyer leader Duncan was christened and floated up from No. 8. Dry Dock where she was built. The naming ceremony was performed by Mrs L. G. Preston, wife... more information
August King’s Stairs Jetty rebuilt into the form they are now (2008). Originally this jetty was referred to as the “Hulk” or landing jetty. Old drawings show it as a... more information
31st January. Saw the launching of the light cruiser Neptune from No.5 Slipway in the Dockyard. She commissioned for the Home Fleet 12th February 1934.
The sinking of Neptune is one... more information
12th January. Battleship HMS Nelson ran aground on Hamilton Bank just outside the harbour entrance; she was got off on the next tide. At one point the whole crew assembled... more information
30th January. The destroyer leader Exmouth was christened. She was the last of the destroyers to be built in Portsmouth Dockyard.
On 21st January 1940, she was torpedoed and sunk by... more information
27th July. The launch of the light cruiser Amphion. She completed on 6th July 1936.
Transferred to the Royal Australian Navy in June 1939 and re-named HMAS Perth, she was torpedoed and... more information
16th July. King George V’s Silver Jubilee Fleet Review. There assembled 157 major warships over 60 merchant ships and hundreds of smaller craft it was an impressive show of strength.
From 10... more information
August. Navy Week. 206,752 people attended Navy Week at Portsmouth Dockyard visiting ships, dockside shows and other attractions demonstrating the Navy’s power.
20th August. Lady Fisher, wife of the Commander-in-Chief, launched the new light cruiser Aurora from No.5 slipway. The C-in-C said at the launch that Aurora had been built with all... more information
10th December. The new King Edward VIII abdicated. He spoke to the nation of his “final and irrevocable decision to give up his great heritage”. In the darkness of the... more information
22th May. Coronation Review of the fleet at Spithead by HM King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. 160 major warships assembled at Spithead, including 17 foreign vessels, for the Review by the... more information
16th July. Portsmouth and Southampton civic authorities organise an exercise in which the dockyard and city was bombed with many casualties. Government ministers and many other cities and town throughout... more information
August. The First Lord, Mr Duff Cooper DSO. M.P., opened Portsmouth’s Navy Week and visited other naval establishments. He visited the site of the proposed new Naval Signal... more information
Victory Museum (later the Royal Naval Museum, and now the National Museum of the Royal Navy) opened, including the Trafalgar panorama painted by W L Wylie, assisted by his daughter. ... more information
28th May. The City Council adopted the recommendation of the Finance and General Purpose Committee to sell to the Admiralty 40.56 acres of land on the Western side of Northern Parade... more information
23rd November. Queen Maud of Norway had died in a nursing home in London on 20th November. Her body lay in state at the Chapel at Marlborough House, St James’... more information
November. Brigadier W. Robb, M.C., succeeded Major-General B. L. Montgomery, DSO as Garrison Commander. Montgomery had been very popular figure in the City.
30th April. At the invitation of the C-in-C, the City Council and their principal officer paid an official visit to the Dockyard Church. After robing at Admiralty House, the Civic... more information
6th May. Last Royal Train to use South Railway Jetty when King George VI & Queen Elizabeth departed on an official visit to Canada and the United States of America... more information
24th. June. The large Floating Dock was towed out of harbour by five dockyard tugs and two Dutch tugs followed astern to render assistance if necessary. For the journey the... more information
19th December. King George VI made the first of his wartime visits to Portsmouth,and visiting establishments in the area and having tea at Admiralty House before departing for London.
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21st September. – Duke and Duchess of Windsor arrived in Portsmouth at 9pm on board the Destroyer HMS Kelly (Mountbatten’s ship) from France and stayed overnight at Admiralty House. They... more information
20th December – Admiral Darlan, the French First Sea Lord, and his staff came to Portsmouth and stayed the night at Admiralty House. They left for London the following day.
19th May – the Queen of Holland came to Portsmouth to visit Dutch ships that had come to Portsmouth to avoid capture by the Germans i.e.: 1 cruiser, 1 half completed cruiser, 3... more information
21st May – the Commander-in-Chief Portsmouth receives the signal to prepare for withdrawing the Army from France. Rapid survey of all small craft in home waters followed. “Dynamo”, the evacuation code... more information
29th May. Armada of small ships set off for Dunkirk. The ships included destroyers, motor torpedo boats, minesweepers, IOW ferry “Whippingham”, Hayling Island Ferries, Pickford’s coasters, yachts and fishing... more information
3rd July. There were many French warships in the harbour, including one battleship, which had come to Portsmouth to escape the Germans. With the fall of France it was feared... more information
6th June – HMS Nelson that had been in Portsmouth having repairs to mine damage left the Dockyard at slow speed while minesweepers swept the channel. As she passed through the... more information
8th June – Portsmouth prepared a small armada of 200 boats from south coast ports to evacuate the 51st Highland division from St Valery. They had been attached to the French army... more information
11th July 1940 – 1 bomb in the Pocket north of D Lock and a stick in Fountain Lake with ex French vessel “Savorgnan de Brazza” damaged by near miss.
12 August 1940 – major attack. ... more information
18th September. The Anti-aircraft cruiser Sirius was launched from No. 5 slipway of the Dockyard. It was a period of anxiety for the Dockyard Management as an air raid during the... more information
Round Tower (eastern end of Fountain Lake Jetty) was used as an air raid observation post where a painted representation of Portsmouth was created inside the perimeter of the parapet.... more information
5 December 1940 – 2 major fires in Dockyard, one at South Railway Jetty. The other in No. 8 Dock badly damaged ex-US destroyer HMS “Cameron”, which was declared a loss; she was stripped of... more information
17th December. The destroyer HMS Acheron, which had had her stern blown off in the bombing of the 24th August was quickly repaired and while running trials just south of... more information
23rd December. Tremendous explosion near the Unicorn gate that left a huge crater and did much damage to the surrounding area. It was believed to have been a German aircraft... more information
20th September. The Southern Railway Steamer SS Portsdown blew up and sank off Southsea Beach. Eight of the crew and an unknown number of passengers were missing. It was believed... more information
10th January. Air raid lasted from 7-30 until 2 in the morning. The City and Dockyard very badly hit with much damage, numerous fires and large numbers of casualties. Between 11th... more information
10th March 1941 – Floating Dock sunk in a direct hit from a bomb.
In January, 200 incendiary bombs had fallen on Fort Blockhouse.
Over 200,000 sq ft of storage space containing food were... more information
3rd April. The Admiralty announced the spirited defence by the Naval Paddle Sweeper Lorna Doone that before the war was well known as a pleasure steamer in the Solent. She... more information
12th October. King George makes his fourth visit to the Dockyard and town since the beginning of the war. In the Naval Barracks he takes the salute as 6,000 men of... more information
In 1942 the citizens of Portsmouth collected £1,200,000 in Warship Week, which helped pay for the cruiser HMS “Sirius” that was built at Portsmouth Dockyard. She was launched on 18th September 1940. Her... more information
1943. Frederick Street, Gloucester Street and Marlborough Row, Portsea taken into the Dockyard (5 acres). Marlborough Gate originally built in 1711 was moved to the apex at Bonfire Corner. This area had been... more information
1st July. Miss Clark, the sister of Vice Admiral Sir Michael Llewellyn Clark KB.DSO., Admiral Superintendent of the Dockyard, laid the keel plate on No. 5 Slipway for the new... more information
November. The Main Gate (Victory Gate) of the Dockyard was widened from 12ft. to 22ft. to cater for the wider loads of modern warfare. In widening it lost its ornamental... more information
The Victualing Department at Priddy’s Hard, in the run-up to D-Day supplied to the waiting forces:-
20.000 tons of water per day. 400 tons of potatoes per week.
23.000 pounds of... more information
HMS Centurion, Durban, and HMNS Sumatra were prepared as block ships in the Dockyard.
HMS Dispatch, Largs, Hilary and Bulolo were converted as Headquarter ships for Force Commanders while in... more information
Post D-Day. There was a period of calm and operations such as supply, casualty reception and marshalling prisoners of war were dealt with.
By the 10th of June numbers of... more information
The Admiralty Testing Tank Department at Haslar was almost continually at work on testing models and other experiments for PLUTO, Phoenix Caissons and many other aspects of the Mulberry Harbours... more information
18th April. The submarines Thor and Tiara that had been built in No. 13 Dry Dock were floated up and christened. Their fitting out was stopped in 1945 and they were discarded... more information
15th July. The last serious raid on Portsmouth when a V.1. (Dooglebug) crashes in Newcomen Rd., Stamshaw. Brian Patterson was a small boy attending Stamshaw school at this time and... more information
1st October. The Boom Defence Vessel Rogate, began to remove the Sea Gates that had kept the harbour safe from surface attacks’ during the war. There were three Sea Booms... more information
7th August. The ‘D’ Day map in what was the Naval war room at HMS Dryad, Southwick Park, was preserved as a permanent memorial, and the ceremony of its unveiling... more information
19th December. The swing bridge connecting the Railway Viaduct at Portsmouth Harbour Station to South Railway Jetty in the dockyard was lifted out of position and subsequently reduced to scrape. ... more information
15th May. At 7 pm. All the ships in the harbour dipped their ensign in a farewell salute as the colours were hauled down for the last time on board the... more information
The bombed out buildings that once formed Clarence Barrack, Southsea were transformed into the first permanent home for members of the W.R.N.S. at Portsmouth. By permission of... more information
27th March. Reserve Fleet. The Evening News, Portsmouth’s own paper, reports that there 70 warships lying in the creeks of Portsmouth Harbour as part of the Royal Navy’s reserve... more information
On 1st February the King, Queen, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret sailed from Portsmouth aboard HMS “Vanguard” for a Royal tour of South Africa. It was a dreary wet day... more information
1st December. HMS “Implacable” (see 1932), was towed out of Portsmouth and scuttled off the Owers lightship. Bombing up the main deck which continued to float. The ship had fought at... more information
1st October. At the end of the War the Chief Constable at the Admiralty had three police forces under his control: Royal Marine Police, Royal Marine Police Special Reserve and... more information
14th July. Enormous explosion in Ammunition barges at Beddenham. An estimated 5,000 tons of explosives exploded but no one was killed although there was damage to property.
11th December Winston Churchill receives the Freedom of the City. In his reply to the Freedom address he said: “Portsmouth is the main cradle of the Royal Navy. Portsmouth has... more information
17th April. HMS Affray fails to respond to signals and, as time drifted on, she was given up for lost along with her crew. She was found on 14th June... more information
11th July. The statue of Lord Nelson presented to the City by Dr. H. J. Aldous was erected in Pembroke Gardens and unveiled by the Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Sir Arthur Power.
25th March. Keel laying Ceremony of the new Anti Aircraft Frigate Leopard by Mrs. A. G. V. Hubback, wife of the Admiral Superintendent. She switched on an automatic welding set... more information
15th June. Coronation Review at Spithead by HM Queen Elizabeth II. There were 14 miles of ships moored for the Review and over 300 aircraft from the Fleet Air Arm flew in... more information
23rd May. The launching of HMS Leopard. She was one of a class of four vessels designed as Anti-Aircraft Frigates entitled Type 41 although they were affectionately were known as the... more information
Lt Cdr L P K Crabb RNVR disappeared on 19th April, believed drowned in Portsmouth harbour, whilst trying to obtain information about the Russian cruiser “Ordzhonikidze”, berthed at South Railway... more information
14th January. HMS “Victorious” re-commissioned after a £20 million refit. She came in hand in the Dockyard on 10th October 1950 and was dry-docked in D Lock on 12th December 1950. It was... more information
13th October. HMS Hornet the Coastal Force Base at Haslar is closed. It started life during the First World War and at different periods in its early life came under... more information
23rd March. HMS Rhyl launched from the Dockyard. Known as a Type 12 Anti-Submarine Frigate. A class of 15 vessels built in two groups; the earlier version was known as the Whitby... more information
Great Ropehouse, until this date the longest building in Europe (1095 ft 8 ½ ins), was divided into two, gutted, restored and the roof replaced. (Now No. 18 Store).
4th August. HMS “Vanguard” last of the British Battleships was released from her moorings at 10-30 am to commence her tow to the ship-breakers at Faslane. There were no cheers,... more information
13th March. Admiralty Floating Dock 59 was floated up. The 400ft long Dock was built in No. 15 dry dock to suit destroyers, frigates and nuclear submarines.
6th September. HMS Nubian launched from No 5 Slipway by Lady Holland-Martin, wife of Vice-Admiral Sir Deric Holland-Martin, the 2nd Sea Lord. Built at a cost of £4, 360, 000, she was one of... more information
Last steam locomotive in dockyard retired from service. From this date diesel engines took over (see 1940). Three steam locomotives were retained for use as mobile dockside boilers and were finally... more information
15th January. Saw the departure of C.1. (Coal Lighter No.1.) from Portsmouth harbour. C.1. was the world’s largest coal lighter. Built under an Admiralty contract by Swan, Hunter &... more information
Dockyard Technical College closed after 127 years. The Dockyards were among the first of the government departments to institute schools for their apprentices.
31stJuly. Naval Rum issue abolished. For a fascinating insight into the making of the rum and other barrels for the Royal Navy view the film made in 1970 at:“Vanishing craft... more information
15th September. Flag Officers of the Royal Navy holding positions of Admiral Superintendents at Royal Dockyards were restyled as Port Admirals. At the same time, Dockyard General Managers were appointed,... more information
30th September. Mrs Gibbon, wife of the Production Manager performed the floating up ceremony of Dumb Lighters 1706 and 1707. Both vessels were designed and built in the dockyard in No. 8 dry... more information
November. The last of the dock-side steam cranes was dismantled. It ran along the west side of No. 14 dry dock and was one of four erected when the dry dock... more information
Collection of Nelsonian memorabilia donated to the Royal Naval Museum by Mrs John McCarthy, CBE.
Nautical paraphernalia comprising mooring anchors, ground chain, and propellers etc. were sited in Queen St.,... more information
Central Office Block II opened in March. The building was 200ft. x 42.6” and had seven floors which provided accommodation for the Design Division Staff, records, and printing section. Also included... more information
11th February. The New Combined Workshop was opened by Chief of Fleet Support, Vice Admiral Sir Peter White. This building became known as the Heavy Plate Shop.
1st October. In 1959 it was decided that all yard craft previously under the control of various dockyard, victualling, naval stores and armaments departments should be brought under one authority that... more information
30th November. Last British Rail train left Dockyard. Track from Unicorn Gate to town Station removed 12 April 1978. Last diesel engine ceased working in the yard in 1979. (See 1843, 1846, 1876, 1972).
16th February. The floating of the 100 ton sullage lighter 03 from the Promontory using the 240 ton crane to lift the craft into the water. The craft was launched by Mrs Gail... more information
26th May. Haslar Gunboat Yard closes. Built between 1856-57 principally for the refit and storage of gun-boats, it came under Ship Group 1 in the dockyard.
The last vessel refitted in... more information
20th June. The dockyard came to a virtual standstill as the work force down tools and marched out of the dockyard on a one day’s token strike. This followed... more information
5th December. Newly designed East Gate opened by the Port Admiral Rear Admiral Wilfred Graham. The work was mainly performed by apprentices from PSA (Dockyard Area)
The giant 240 ton crane on the Promontory was used to lift the latest new construction into the water, the 100 ton sullage lighter SL04. She is one of a pair the... more information
The floating up of TCL 05 in D Lock was performed by Mrs Pamela Hart the wife of DCP (Cdr. Bill Hart). Before launching the bottle down a wire on to... more information
December. RMAS Tug Forceful, last of the Portsmouth dockyard paddle tugs goes out of service with a bang. It was to be her last duty with the press; photographers and... more information
Demolition of the oldest surviving iron arched building, No. 3. Ship Shop in the Dockyard. It was built in 1844 as a cover to the shipbuilding slipways.
Part of the Dockyard (including... more information
25th June Mr John Nott, Defence Secretary, announced severe contraction of Portsmouth Dockyard and closure of Chatham Dockyard by 1984. Proposed reduction of Portsmouth Dockyard labour force from 7,200 to 1,200.(see 1984)
7th July. Men and women from Portsmouth Dockyard travel to London to join with men from other defence establishments to lobby Parliament over the proposed Defence cuts.
9th September. The Secretary of State for Defence, Mr. John Nott made a visit to the Dockyard and tried to address a crowd of up to 2.000 employees outside Central Office... more information
2nd April. At 2-45 am while the people of Portsmouth slept, the Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher received a message informing her of Argentina’s impending invasion of the Falkland Islands. ... more information
21st July. Ecstatic scenes in Portsmouth Harbour as Flagship of the Falklands Islands War, Task Force, HMS “Hermes”, returns to her home port.
Since leaving Portsmouth on 5th April she... more information
11th October. “Mary Rose” which sank off Southsea Castle in July 1545 successfully raised and installed in No. 3 Dock. Prince Charles witnessed the raising on 11th as the culmination of sixteen... more information
26th July. The new Fleet Maintenance Facility at North Corner was opened by Admiral Sir William Staveley, Commander-in-Chief Fleet. This new facility was staffed mainly by RN personnel.
August. The Hose Makers Shop closes and the last hose-maker, Mr.Walter Foster retires. During the war the Hose Maker’s Shop produced over 10,000 hoses a year.
31st October. The last Foreman of the Foundry, Mr Ken Snook, turned the key for the last time on the closure of the Iron Foundry and Pattern-Makers shop. The last... more information
January. A start was made on dismantling the 240 ton hammer head crane that had since 1911 been a land-mark on the Portsmouth skyline. The operation was completed by May 1984 and had... more information
March. Discovery of No. 2 basin caisson.
During road surfacing works on the north-western corner of No. 2 basin the top of the original iron caisson of 1845 was discovered at the site... more information
10th March. The 27,000 ton aircraft carrier HMS Bulwark made her last journey from Portsmouth. Known affectionately in the yard as the “rusty B”, she was towed out of the harbour... more information
9th May. Admiralty Floating Dock No 26 (AFD 26) leaves Portsmouth.
AFD 26 came to Portsmouth in 1959 from Portland. Her first dry docking was the submarine Trespasser on 15th June 1959, her last dry... more information
5th July. A serious fire burnt out the north entrance to No 1 Ship Shop.
The original name was No. 1 Shipbuilding Shop but for some unknown reason the word building was... more information
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