It was commissioned in 1869 and was home to a gunnery school for more than a century. The base was decommissioned in 1985 when the school was opened and the site became part of HMS Nelson.
These days HMS Excellent is part of the Maritime Warfare School, with a headquarters at HMS Collingwood, though there are a number of lodger units on the Royal Navy base.
The photos in this gallery tell the story of the base, including the training that was carried out and the parades that took place there.
HMS Excellent is based on Whale Island in Portsmouth, so you are sure to spot it if you are driving in or out of the city on the motorway.
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MORE RETRO PHOTOS: Pounds’ scrapyard | Amazing Royal Navy photos from the past | Old Portsmouth
1. HMS Excellent on Whale Island
HMS Excellent on Whale Island aerial view 1970. Bottom right at her mooring is the Royal Yacht Britannia where she was always located when not in use. The grey ship to the left is HMS Rame Head that was a Canadian ship. She was a training ship later followed by HMS Bristol which still uses the birth to this day. Just above the playing field are the barrack blocks. Photo: The News archive
2. HMS Excellent on Whale Island
The naval cadet field gun crew of 1951, winners of the Brickwoods trophy in the competition held at HMS Excellent, Whale Island Photo: The News archive
3. HMS Excellent on Whale Island
The manning of the mast is performed at the field gun centre at HMS Excellent in July 1994. The News PP4965 Photo: The News archive
