Difference between revisions of "Portsmouth Dockyard"
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1496 Dockyard established. | 1496 Dockyard established. | ||
Along with [[Chatham Dockyard| Chatham]], [[Woolwich Dockyard|Woolwich]], [[Devonport Dockyard| Plymouth]] and [[Deptford Royal Dockyard| Deptford]], it has been one of the main dockyards for the Royal Navy throughout its history. | Along with [[Chatham Dockyard| Chatham]], [[Woolwich Dockyard|Woolwich]], [[Devonport Dockyard| Plymouth]] and [[Deptford Royal Dockyard| Deptford]], it has been one of the main dockyards for the [[Royal Navy]] throughout its history. | ||
In 1540 the dockyard covered an area of only about 8 acres.<ref>The Engineer 1896/02/21</ref> | In 1540 the dockyard covered an area of only about 8 acres.<ref>The Engineer 1896/02/21</ref> | ||
Latest revision as of 18:03, 13 July 2019
Portsmouth Dockyard , Her Majesty's Naval Base, Portsmouth (HMNB Portsmouth) or Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
HM Naval Base, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 3LJ. There is a lot to see at the historic dockyard and details can be found on the website.
1496 Dockyard established.
Along with Chatham, Woolwich, Plymouth and Deptford, it has been one of the main dockyards for the Royal Navy throughout its history.
In 1540 the dockyard covered an area of only about 8 acres.[1]
Rose to prominence during the wars with France, late 18th century.
End of 18th century: The dockyard (like the other Royal dockyards) underwent reforms proposed by Samuel Bentham, Inspector-General of Naval Works. Among his innovations were the Portsmouth Block Mills, an early example of truly industrial-scale production.
From here Nelson embarked on HMS Victory before leaving Britain for the final time before his death at the Battle of Trafalgar.
Expanded significantly in the nineteenth century with new facilities for steam engineering and ironclad shipbuilding.
1866 Mr. Cradock was the Master Shipwright and Chief Engineer[2]
1871 ‘ “The body post” of the Blonde, iron frigate, cased with wood, has recently been cast in the foundry of this dockyard. About twenty-five tons of brass were used in the casting, and the present weight is about fifteen tons. It is the largest casting ever made in this dockyard. There is not the least flaw in it, and the manner in which it has been turned out reflects great credit upon the workmen engaged.’ [3]
1882 To commemorate the services and death of Edward Newman, late Chief Engineer, a new reward is to be given to young Engineers who obtain distinguished merit in practical engineering.[4]
1909 See plan of dockyard in 1909.
WWI: HMS M.33, a monitor, was built and used to support the Dardanelles campaign. She has recently been restored externally, one of only two surviving naval vessels of WW1. She has been painted above the waterline and the forward 6-inch gun re-instated. In 1995 restoration was taken over by the Hampshire County Council Museums Service. A scheme was devised with the intention of returning the ship to her external 1915 – 1919 configuration.
WWII: Portsmouth and the Naval Base were the headquarters and main departure point for the military and naval units destined for Sword Beach on the Normandy coast as a part of Operation Overlord and the D-Day Landings on June 6, 1944.
1993. Privatised
2013 the operator BAE Systems announced that it was closing its shipbuilding facility at Portsmouth; part of the shipyard will remain open for repairs/maintenance.
Nearby Attractions
- Mary Rose
- HMS Warrior
- [1] National Museum of the Royal Navy
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ The Engineer 1896/02/21
- ↑ The Engineer 1866/01/05
- ↑ Portsmouth Times and Naval Gazette - Saturday 30 December 1871
- ↑ The Engineer 1882/12/15
- [2] Wikipedia