Portsmouth Historic Ships

PORTSMOUTH HISTORIC SHIPS.

ENGLAND has always been a maritime nation and Portsmouth Historic Ships is one of the best places to see this tradition.  The ships there, which span four centuries, are enough to swell the heart of any true English person with pride.  Portsmouth is home to three significant ships: Mary Rose, the elite ship of Henry VIII’s navy, HMS Victory flagship of many fighting admirals, including Nelson and Queen Victoria’s HMS Warrior.

Richard the Lionheart began building the dockyard in 1140 and the deep sheltered waters of the harbour has ensured that it has stayed a major naval base to this day.

The Mary Rose capsized and sank while sailing into action in 1545.  She was raised to the surface 437 years later in 1982.  Visitors can observe her as conservationists keep her preserved in the carefully controlled environment of a conservation workshop.  She forms a Tudor time capsule.

HMS Victory is the oldest commissioned ship in the Royal Navy: still being the flagship of the Second Sea Lord.  She had fought in many actions before Trafalgar.  The guided tours give a vivid impression of what life was like aboard her.  They reveal the cramped conditions, harsh discipline and horrific punishments of the sailing navy and show the duties and responsibilities of the 850 men and boys, who formed her crew.

HMS Warrior, commissioned in 1860, was the largest, fastest and most powerful warship of her day, This ship, the black snake among the rabbits in the channel, was so formidable that she brought an era of peace.  Visitors are able to explore, marvel at and enjoy the four decks, which run from the elegance of the captain’s cabin to the modest possessions of the ordinary seaman.  HMS Warrior looks as thought the crew has only just left her.

There is the Dockyard Apprentice, which is set in 1911.  Anew apprentice reports for his first working day and is trained for his craft.  Visitors join the new boy in the shipwright class as he learns the techniques of riveting, casting and carpentry.  The can help him in the skills of caulking and sail-making or visit the blacksmith’s forge, the foundry and the paint-shop.  Visitors receive their indenture papers as they leave the exhibition.

A Historic Dockyard acoustiguide tour introduces visitors to Jack the Painter in 1777, Marc Brunel and John Dickens.

Visitors are able to see old and modern ships through the eyes of a seaman from the deck of a harbour tour boat, which departs hourly, weather permitting throughout the day.

The youngsters enjoy the children’s adventure playship and refreshments can be obtained in the Tradewinds Restaurant.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is open daily between 10am and 6pm from March to October and 10am to 5.30pm from November to February with the exception of Christmas Day with the last admission being 90 minutes before closing time.

More recent information can be obtained from 0839 407 080.