This area of Portsmouth has quite a varied past and you can see more in our gallery below.
Although you will likely have spotted Whale Island as you drive into Portsmouth via the motorway, how much do you know about its history?
If you would like to see more nostalgic photos of Portsmouth, make sure you join our retro Facebook group.
MORE RETRO PHOTOS: Southsea dinosaur | The old Portsmouth power station | Changing face of Milton
5. Whale Island Portsmouth
Part of the Royal Navys reserve fleet parked up off Whale Island in 1957. Photo: The News archive
7. Whale Island Portsmouth
The old entry point into HMS Excellent, Whale Island. Photo: The News archive
8. Whale Island Portsmouth
Barbara the polar bear cub was rescued from drifting ice off Greenland during WW2. The officers took her on-board their cruiser & made her their mascot, when she outgrew her accommodation she was dropped off on Whale Island where the sailors zoo had been established since 1893. In 1975 the Royal Navy banned the practice of taking animal mascots to sea. Photo: The News archive