29 stunning retro photos of Royal Navy's HMS Vernon before it became Gunwharf Quays

HMS Vernon was a part of the Portsmouth landscape for more than a century.

It was decommissioned in April 1996 and was later transformed into Gunwharf Quays.

Parts of HMS Vernon are still standing, including the famous gates – which now lead into the shopping centre.

Why not take a trip down memory lane and look through our gallery of retro photos from HMS Vernon.

MORE RETRO PHOTOS: Nights out at Gunwharf Quays | Portsmouth shops in the 90s | HMS Hermes

9. HMS Vernon

Where the lipstick tower now stands. In this picture we see what is the present location of the tower block in Gunwharf nicknamed the lipstick building. It is located roughly where the tree is standing centre photo. The photo was taken I believe, from the crane that loaded torpedoes into submarines in HMS Vernon. To the left is the present Customs House pub. The main gate is just out of sight to the right. Photo: The News archive