Gosport diving museum given boost thanks to grant

The Historical Diving Society has received £10,000 towards the restoration of No 2 Battery, in Stokes Bay, Gosport.

The building is home to the Diving Museum but structurally it is at risk and in need of major work.

Volunteers at the museum are over the moon with the cash boost which will secure the future of the museum.

Kevin Casey, the Historical Diving Society museum officer, said: ‘We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund. We are confident the project will help us establish a much better picture of the amount of work and funding needed to totally restore No 2 Battery back to its former glory.’

Before any work can begin, experts will need to check the structure of the building and a report will be produced on its condition.

Once that is complete, the restoration can begin.

Kevin added: ‘When restored, No 2 Battery will need to be self-supporting so cultural, heritage and marketing consultants will be engaged to help develop a plan to give the building a sustainable future use. It is hoped to develop it into the National Diving Museum, thus preserving Gosport’s and the country’s rich diving heritage.

‘It will also preserve its historical importance as part of the defences of Portsmouth Harbour.’

The Historical Diving Society was founded to preserve all aspects of diving heritage for future generations.

Gosport is an important part of that heritage, as John Deane the co-founder of the diving helmet, lived in the town for many years and sold the first commercial diving helmet in the world to a local merchant.