20 stunning memories of the sailors of Royal Navy's HMS Excellent

HMS Excellent is the home of the naval headquarters in Portsmouth and has experienced more than 200 years of history in the city.

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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