French prizes brought into Portsmouth Harbour after Lord Richard Howe’s victory in the naval Battle of Ushant, or the Glorious First of June, during the French Revolutionary Wars, June 1794. Illustration by Rawlandson. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)French prizes brought into Portsmouth Harbour after Lord Richard Howe’s victory in the naval Battle of Ushant, or the Glorious First of June, during the French Revolutionary Wars, June 1794. Illustration by Rawlandson. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
French prizes brought into Portsmouth Harbour after Lord Richard Howe’s victory in the naval Battle of Ushant, or the Glorious First of June, during the French Revolutionary Wars, June 1794. Illustration by Rawlandson. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

25 unique and amazing old Royal Navy scenes at Portsmouth Harbour

We thought we’d give you an insight into Portsmouth Harbour from the past. You probably won’t have seen the majority of these images before.
By Steve Deeks
Published 1st Oct 2020, 18:09 BST
Updated 22nd Mar 2024, 10:33 BST

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

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.

MORE PHOTOS: Fort Nelson | Portsmouth in 1991 | HMS Warrior

Join our new Portsmouth Retro Facebook group to find more fascinating photos and memories from Portsmouth’s past.

The News is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism. You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news and information online.

There’s a wealth of historic information that is a delight to absorb.

The harbour at Portsmouth, on the south coast of England, circa 1770. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

5. Portsmouth harbour in years past

The harbour at Portsmouth, on the south coast of England, circa 1770. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) Photo: The News archive

Photo Sales
Aerial view on the HMY Britannia sailing to Portsmouth Harbour, UK, 30th May 1965. (Photo by Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

6. Portsmouth harbour in years past

Aerial view on the HMY Britannia sailing to Portsmouth Harbour, UK, 30th May 1965. (Photo by Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) Photo: The News archive

Photo Sales
23rd May 1970: Six Sea Cadets stand atop the Polaris submarine HMS Resolution while it docks in Portsmouth harbour. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)

7. Portsmouth harbour in years past

23rd May 1970: Six Sea Cadets stand atop the Polaris submarine HMS Resolution while it docks in Portsmouth harbour. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images) Photo: The News archive

Photo Sales
Prison Hulks in Portsmouth Harbour - 1806. From the original painting by Hoppey Turner in the possession of Major E. Emanuel, The Hard, Portsea, Portsmouth Harbour. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

8. Portsmouth harbour in years past

Prison Hulks in Portsmouth Harbour - 1806. From the original painting by Hoppey Turner in the possession of Major E. Emanuel, The Hard, Portsea, Portsmouth Harbour. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) Photo: The News archive

Photo Sales
Previous
2 / 7
Next Page
Related topics:Portsmouth HarbourRoyal NavyFacebook