After coaling ship. Ships were all powered by furnaces.
Here we see some of the crew from the turtle-back destroyer HMS Chamois. 
Bottom centre of the photograph is the ship’s pet and to the left of it is George Harwood. He was the grandfather of George Millener who loaned us the photographs. Picture: George Millener collectionAfter coaling ship. Ships were all powered by furnaces.
Here we see some of the crew from the turtle-back destroyer HMS Chamois. 
Bottom centre of the photograph is the ship’s pet and to the left of it is George Harwood. He was the grandfather of George Millener who loaned us the photographs. Picture: George Millener collection
After coaling ship. Ships were all powered by furnaces. Here we see some of the crew from the turtle-back destroyer HMS Chamois. Bottom centre of the photograph is the ship’s pet and to the left of it is George Harwood. He was the grandfather of George Millener who loaned us the photographs. Picture: George Millener collection

21 ways that coal played a role in Portsmouth life

Wonderfully interesting scenes of times gone by.

There are some great old images in this selection including collier Pompey Powerarriving at her unloading dock opposite the power station and ‘Pompey Light’ in dock, where the Isle of Wight car ferry now leaves from.

You will see what happened inside the bunker at Fraser & White Ltd the coal merchants and the horse drawn coal wagons lining up and being loaded outside in East Street.

Also featuring is a fantastic aerial of the Old Portsmouth Power Station around 1948 and a few images of the sailors that used to coal the ships at the quayside.

You can subscribe here for unlimited access to our online coverage, including Pompey, for 27p a day.

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.