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We thought we’d give you an insight into what the area looked like in the past. Some of the photos in the galley date back as far as 1770 and span 200 years of Portsmouth’s history.
They give a real idea of what life was like on the waters for the Royal Navy in our harbour years ago and includes many navy vessels that of course are long gone now. There’s a wealth of historic information that is a delight to absorb.
In light of how the harbour has changed across the decades, Portsmouth Naval Base will soon see further changes. The government is planning a major infrastructure project to upgrade the site. More jetties and berths are set to be created, with updates planned for accommodation and other buildings.
Here are a selection of images showing how Portsmouth Harbour has changed. be sure to click through all the pages to see the gallery in full.
9. Portsmouth harbour in years past
The harbour at Portsmouth, on the south coast of England, circa 1790. Original Publication : The Modern Universal British Traveller (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) Photo: The News archive
10. Portsmouth harbour in years past
Boats approaching Portsmouth Harbour in choppy seas, circa 1837. Engraved by Finden after a drawing by J D Harding from a sketch by Jendle. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) Photo: The News archive
11. Portsmouth harbour in years past
The Royal Navy Dreadnought battleship HMS Agincourt with her 7 × twin BL 12-inch Mk XIII guns at anchor in Portsmouth Harbour circa 1914. was originally built to be the Brazilian Navy Rio de Janeiro but was sold whilst under construction to the Ottoman Empire as the Sultan Osman I but on the outbreak of the First World War the British government seized her for use by the Royal Navy, together with another Ottoman dreadnought being constructed in Britain. This act caused resentment in the Ottoman Empire, as the payments for both ships were complete, and contributed to the decision of the Ottoman government to join the Central Powers. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) Photo: The News archive
12. Portsmouth harbour in years past
Aerial view the flight deck of the Royal Navy Audacious-class fleet aircraft carrier HMS Eagle as tugboats ease her towards the dockside of Portsmouth harbour to be paid off and scrapped on 26 January 1972 at Portsmouth, United Kingdom. The commando carrier HMS Albion is docked behind HMS Eagle. (Photo by Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images). Photo: The News archive