12 amazing and rare pictures of mighty Royal Navy vessels from Portsmouth's glorious past

There are some extremely old and rare images included in this selection.

By Steve Deeks

Published 4th Aug 2021, 15:17 BST

Updated 6th Apr 2024, 13:20 BST

Featured are HMS Warrior, RRS Discovery, HMS Hercules, STS Pogoria, HMS Calliope, HMS Victory and French vessel Le Jaureguiberry.

You can see all the vessels in our gallery below.

MORE RETRO: 15 rare photos of Portsmouth parades from the past, 9 great old images of the Royal Pier Hotel in Southsea

HMS Hercules after de-masting and unarmed and had possibly become part of HMS Fisgard. Picture: Robert James collection.

1. Vessels from the past

HMS Hercules after de-masting and unarmed and had possibly become part of HMS Fisgard. Picture: Robert James collection. Photo: The News archive

Portsmouth Harbour in Hampshire, circa 1880. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

2. Vessels from the past

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

The barque-rigged Discovery in Portsmouth harbourPossibly taken in 1923 after refitting at Vospers yard were we see the RRS Discovery. She was a barque-rigged auxiliary steamship built for Antarctic research. Launched in 1901, she was the last traditional wooden three-masted ship to be built in the United Kingdom

3. Vessels from the past

The barque-rigged Discovery in Portsmouth harbourPossibly taken in 1923 after refitting at Vospers yard were we see the RRS Discovery. She was a barque-rigged auxiliary steamship built for Antarctic research. Launched in 1901, she was the last traditional wooden three-masted ship to be built in the United Kingdom Photo: The News archive

De-masted three decker in Portsmouth Harbour.This marvellous photograph of a Nelsonian/Napolionic wooden wall was loaned to us by William Tofts of Copnor. We don't believe it to be HMS Victory but could be. Steam tugs are alongside.

4. Vessels from the past

De-masted three decker in Portsmouth Harbour.This marvellous photograph of a Nelsonian/Napolionic wooden wall was loaned to us by William Tofts of Copnor. We don't believe it to be HMS Victory but could be. Steam tugs are alongside. Photo: The News archive

Royal Navy HMS Victory

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.