Gunwharf in all its glory. To celebrate the arrival of the French Fleet on Monday August 7 1905 Portsmouth certainly went to town. The Town Hall was decorated as were many other public buildings. Trams were cover in ribbons and gave free rides to the matelots, The fleet arrived at 1pm on the Monday and stayed for a week. So many people came down from the northern parts of the city that receipts were £1,500 up on the previous best week. This image was sent in by Mr & Mrs Terry Gill of Landport it shows the gates to the Gunwharf in all there splendour.The fantail of lights above the gate is supplied with power from the tramway power wires. For these passers-by to be where they are today would be risking life and limb, as traffic roars past and turns into the Gunwharf Quays today.placeholder image
Gunwharf in all its glory. To celebrate the arrival of the French Fleet on Monday August 7 1905 Portsmouth certainly went to town. The Town Hall was decorated as were many other public buildings. Trams were cover in ribbons and gave free rides to the matelots, The fleet arrived at 1pm on the Monday and stayed for a week. So many people came down from the northern parts of the city that receipts were £1,500 up on the previous best week. This image was sent in by Mr & Mrs Terry Gill of Landport it shows the gates to the Gunwharf in all there splendour.The fantail of lights above the gate is supplied with power from the tramway power wires. For these passers-by to be where they are today would be risking life and limb, as traffic roars past and turns into the Gunwharf Quays today.

Exclusive photos: 19 spectacular images of Portsmouth and Southsea in 1905

By Steve Deeks
Published 13th May 2021, 17:12 BST
Updated 25th Jan 2024, 11:04 BST

We can all look back on life in the past and learn a thing or two.

The pace of life certainly was slower in those days, but celebrating was a big thing in the city back then, as it is today, as you will see in these stunning images chosen for you to enjoy.

In this selection you can see several images detailing the French fleet visiting Portsmouth in the late summer of 1905,100 years after the Battle of Trafalgar.

MORE: 12 great images of Denmead and Hambledon through the years

The Entente Cordiale agreement comprised of a series of agreements signed on the 8th April 1904 between the UK and France.

You will also see a great image of Holland 3, the early Royal Navy submarine in Portsmouth Harbour, with HMS Victory behind.

French sailors travelling on a tram for the celebration in Portsmouth. Captioned ‘Decorated Car Portsmouth 1905,’ this real photographic postcard shows a tram full of French sailors for L' Entente Cordiale in 1905 when the French fleet visited Portsmouth – 100 years after Trafalgar.

13. Memories from 1905 in Portsmouth

French sailors travelling on a tram for the celebration in Portsmouth. Captioned ‘Decorated Car Portsmouth 1905,’ this real photographic postcard shows a tram full of French sailors for L' Entente Cordiale in 1905 when the French fleet visited Portsmouth – 100 years after Trafalgar. Photo: The News archive

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L' Entente Cordiale 1905, but what street are they in? French sailors marching through a Portsmouth street. Can anyone recognise where they are? Picture: Barry Cox collection

14. Memories from 1905 in Portsmouth

L' Entente Cordiale 1905, but what street are they in? French sailors marching through a Portsmouth street. Can anyone recognise where they are? Picture: Barry Cox collection Photo: The News archive

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Portsmouth Harbour 1905.

15. Memories from 1905 in Portsmouth

Portsmouth Harbour 1905. Photo: The News archive

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Albert Road before the Kings Theatre was built. 1905.

16. Memories from 1905 in Portsmouth

Albert Road before the Kings Theatre was built. 1905. Photo: The News archive

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