How HMS Vernon in Portsmouth became Gunwharf Quays | Nostalgia

Before Gunwharf Quays became the shopping and leisure Mecca it is today, the site was home to HMS Vernon.
Deborah Croker
By Deborah Croker
Published 23rd Nov 2020, 18:28 GMT
Before Gunwharf Quays. An aerial view of HMS Vernon in 1955 when it was the torpedo and mine warfare establishment.Before Gunwharf Quays. An aerial view of HMS Vernon in 1955 when it was the torpedo and mine warfare establishment.
Before Gunwharf Quays. An aerial view of HMS Vernon in 1955 when it was the torpedo and mine warfare establishment.

The Royal Navy’s torpedo branch, also known as the torpedo school, was commissioned in April 1876.

Vernon was named after the ship of the same name, which alongside HMS Ariadne and the lighter Florence Nightingale comprised its initial floating base.

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In 1923 it was moved into the Gunwharf site and became a ‘stone frigate’ – the name given to a naval establishment on land.

Looking south over the former HMS Vernon, Old Portsmouth and The Hard interchange at Portsea in March 1998. Picture: The News 1265-1Looking south over the former HMS Vernon, Old Portsmouth and The Hard interchange at Portsea in March 1998. Picture: The News 1265-1
Looking south over the former HMS Vernon, Old Portsmouth and The Hard interchange at Portsea in March 1998. Picture: The News 1265-1

It was integral in the D-Day preparations.

HMS Vernon continued as a naval base, specialising in mine warfare, but ceased to be an independent command on March 31, 1986. It was renamed HMS Nelson (Vernon site) and then later HMS Nelson (Gunwharf).

It briefly became the headquarters for the commandant general Royal Marines and continued to be used for training.

To see the other 25 photos in this gallery, click here.

HMS Vernon before being transformed into Gunwharf Quays. October 5, 1981. The News PP4255HMS Vernon before being transformed into Gunwharf Quays. October 5, 1981. The News PP4255
HMS Vernon before being transformed into Gunwharf Quays. October 5, 1981. The News PP4255

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Related topics:Gunwharf QuaysPortsmouthMeccaRoyal Navy

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