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.

13. Portsmouth harbour in years past
November 1929: Two Submarines from Chile docked at Portsmouth harbour. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images) Photo: The News archive

14. Portsmouth harbour in years past
Winston Churchill, First Lord of the Admiralty stands on the conning tower with the officers and crew of the Royal Navy D-class submarine HMS D2 as it leaves Portsmouth Harbour for Spithead on 6 November 1911. D2 was later rammed and sunk by a German patrol boat off Borkum on 25 November 1914, leaving no survivors. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) Photo: The News archive

15. Portsmouth harbour in years past
Portsmouth Harbour in Hampshire, circa 1880. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) Photo: The News archive

16. Portsmouth harbour in years past
circa 1900: The old battleship, HMS St Vincent, at Portsmouth. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) Photo: The News archive


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