Hertha Ayrton was an engineer, mathematician and inventor. She was born in Portsea, Portsmouth on April, 28 1854 and died in Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex on August 26, 1923. Her research in vortices in water and air led to the invention of the Ayrton fan, which was used in the trenches of the First World War to get rid of gas and poison. She was also closely involved with the fight for women's suffrage. Here, Hertha Ayrton has been painted by Mme. Darmesteter.placeholder image
Hertha Ayrton was an engineer, mathematician and inventor. She was born in Portsea, Portsmouth on April, 28 1854 and died in Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex on August 26, 1923. Her research in vortices in water and air led to the invention of the Ayrton fan, which was used in the trenches of the First World War to get rid of gas and poison. She was also closely involved with the fight for women's suffrage. Here, Hertha Ayrton has been painted by Mme. Darmesteter.

26 reasons to be proud to come from Portsmouth - from A to Z including Spinnaker Tower and Royal Navy

By Steve Deeks
Published 19th Oct 2023, 13:06 GMT
Updated 25th Sep 2025, 16:01 GMT

From its rich Naval history to sporting triumphs, there are countless reasons to be proud to call Portsmouth your home.

Surrounded by the sea on one side and the countryside on the other it is not hard to see why Portsmouth attracts so many visitors each year and why we love our quirky south coast island city

We’ve narrowed down the list of things which evoke Pompey pride to 26 – one for each letter of the alphabet:

HMS Queen Elizabeth (pictured) and HMS Prince of Wales take it in turns to be the flagship of of the Royal Navy. We always love watching them sail in and out of the harbour and along Southsea Picture: Sam Stephenson.

17. Q is for (HMS) Queen Elizabeth (and HMS Prince of Wales)

HMS Queen Elizabeth (pictured) and HMS Prince of Wales take it in turns to be the flagship of of the Royal Navy. We always love watching them sail in and out of the harbour and along Southsea Picture: Sam Stephenson. Photo: Sam Stephenson

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Located in Old Portsmouth, this is the oldest fortification in the city. Work began on it in 1418 and it was built to defend the entrance to the harbour. Now it is open to the public and you can climb to the top and take in the views.

18. R is for Round Tower

Located in Old Portsmouth, this is the oldest fortification in the city. Work began on it in 1418 and it was built to defend the entrance to the harbour. Now it is open to the public and you can climb to the top and take in the views. Photo: Sarah Standing

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Henry VIII is said to have watched the Mary Rose sink from Southsea Castle in 1545. It is bursting with history - and best of all it is free to visit!

19. S is for Southsea Castle

Henry VIII is said to have watched the Mary Rose sink from Southsea Castle in 1545. It is bursting with history - and best of all it is free to visit! Photo: Julian Gazzard - stock.adobe.com

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Perhaps the most famous landmark on the Portsmouth skyline, the Spinnaker Tower can be seen from much of the city.

20. T is for Tower

Perhaps the most famous landmark on the Portsmouth skyline, the Spinnaker Tower can be seen from much of the city. Photo: Shaun Roster

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