Wednesday 22 December 2010

The Birth of Portsea

According to tradition, when the shipwrights from Portsmouth Dockyard began to build in West Dock field early in Queen Anne’s reign, the Lieutenant-Governor of Portsmouth, General Gibson, took fright believing that any buildings erected so close to the town would mask and interfere with fortifications. He ordered all building operations to cease and threatened to turn the guns of the Garrison upon anyone who was rash enough to ignore his instructions. However, shortly after this ultimatum was delivered the Queen was in Portsmouth accompanied by her husband, Prince George of Denmark, and while she was at the Commissioner’s house the indignant shipwrights memorialised Her Majesty on the subject. Through the kindly mediation of the Prince the Governor was sent for, the matter settled and the shipwrights met with no further interference. The names of Queen Street and Prince George Street commemorate this event. Portsmouth Records Office I152

Friday 17 December 2010

The beginning of State education

Portsmouth was one of the first areas in Hampshire to set up a School Board following the passage of the Elementary Education Act in 1870. Board members were local people directly elected by voters each having as many votes as there were places to fill. In Portsmouth 11 new elementary schools were built in 1870 – New Road, Cottage Grove, Swan Street, Flying Bull Lane, Eastney Road, Fratton Street, Kent Street, Church Street, Conway Street, Albert Road and Portsmouth Town. This great period of exertions was followed by a slack period in the next decade, due in part to the growing dissatisfaction of rate payers over the greatly increasing expenditure on education. In fact, the Education Department threatened to stop Government Grants altogether if the Portsmouth Board did no spur itself on to greater activity. Portsmouth Records Office I162

Tuesday 14 December 2010

A Flying Circus

Sir Alan Cobham brought his Flying Circus to Portsmouth in 1932, the same year that Portsmouth Airport opened. He took the members of the Corporation on joy rides over the city. On the occasion he said, ‘It is about the best aerodrome I have landed in’.

Ragged Schools

At least four ragged schools were founded in Portsmouth – the home town of John Pounds, the disabled cobbler said to have inspired the Ragged School movement for the education of homeless and orphan children. St George’s School, Richmond Place was originally an example of an early Ragged School. In 1858 a Shoe Black Brigade was formed at the school. The children each had a station and the pence they earned went to buy boots and clothes for them. Portsmouth Records Office I162

Sunday 5 December 2010

Clarence Esplanade

In 1848, Southsea seafront changed forever with the building of Clarence Esplanade. It was partly financed from public subscription, with the War Office donating the land free of charge, and the Treasury contributing £300. The driving force behind the initiative were the Lt Governor, Lord Frederick FitzClarence, and Alderman Emanuel. They employed convict labour and took advantage of thousands of tons of mud and shingle being excavated from the Dockyard Steam Basin being built at the same time. The section from the King’s Rooms (now Clarence Pier) to the Castle was opened in August 1848 during the Royal Portsmouth Regatta. It was attended by Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and other members of the royal family.

Thursday 2 December 2010

An early blizzard

On 18 October 1893 a great blizzard swept through the Portsmouth area. Two soldiers were frozen to death on Portsdown Hill.

Thursday 25 November 2010

Marketing Southsea

In the early 1900s there was a real vision for the tourism industry in Southsea which differentiated the area as an ‘upmarket’ resort.

‘Southsea is essentially a place for those who prefer their seaside stay to be spent amid surroundings that are peaceful, quiet and refined, without being dull; for children whose helplessness and venturesomeness demand absolute safety as far as natural conditions go; for all anxious to recruit the fagged body and mind; and, above all, for the lovers of all the glorious sea and its never ending charms, and for those who like to lounge on the beautiful greensward adjoining Southsea Castle.’ Portsmouth and Southsea Official Guide, 1907

Tuesday 23 November 2010

Two MPs

Portsmouth returning two members of Parliament from the very early date of 1295 reflects the town’s early and continuing prominence.

Sunday 21 November 2010

A Time before the Social

There was concern that no unnecessary burdens should be placed upon the local taxpayers. Therefore issues of settlement, vagrancy, and bastardy, when it was feared that a pauper or unsupported minor should become chargeable to the parish, were treated as criminal acts. These latter cases were handled very indelicately by the Justices who insisted on knowing not only who the father was but often exactly where conception had taken place. Thus poor Elizabeth Carter of Kingston, who gave birth to a boy in April 1676, was forced to admit that she had had carnal relations with a Robert Rascar ‘athwart ye chayres by the fireside’ at one house, in bed with Mr Collins, Curate of Wymering, at another in Gatcombe, and with Thomas Barrowe in the fields whilst haymaking.

Friday 19 November 2010

The Square Tower

This understated solid building has stood at the heart of Portsmouth since 1494. A brick building in a town built predominately of wood, it would have had an imposing dominance. Originally built as a residence for the Governor, in 1584 it was converted for use as a gunpowder store. It was used as a bargaining tool in the English Civil War, when Portsmouth was besieged by the Parliamentarians, and the Governor used the threat of blowing up the Tower (which would have flattened the town) to negotiate a peaceful surrender. From 1779 the Tower was used as a meat store to feed the ever growing Navy, and in 1822 a semaphore station was erected on its roof. A review of the Town’s defences in 1848 led to gun emplacements on the top (the semaphore having been removed) and it remained in defensive use until it came into the ownership of the City Council in the 1960s. There is a spectacular panoramic view from the roof which is accessible on certain dates during the summer months. For more information visit the Portsmouth Museum Service website: www.portsmouthmuseums.co.uk

Sunday 14 November 2010

Inspection of a Gaol

‘Visited and inspected the Gaol this day. One prisoner was locked up in solitary confinement for refusal to work. His excuse was that he was unable from illness to work at the Treadmill. I directed that the Surgeon should make a report upon his case. The convicts who attempted to escape still exhibit the most refractory conduct, and the Governor having reported that he did not consider it safe for their irons to be removed I ordered them to be kept on. The Gaol perfectly clean, and with the exception of the two prisoners who have been already ill for a long time, perfectly healthy.’ George Gillman, 2 August 1849 Taken from the Portsmouth Visiting Justices Book 1848 – 1869. The Portsmouth gaol at this time was situated in Penny Street.

Tuesday 9 November 2010

The Strongest Fortified Town in England

‘Portsmouth, the strongest fortified town in England, … Ramparts, bastions, moats, drawbridges, intersect and encircle the whole in a manner peculiarly perplexing to the professional eye. May they prove as difficult of comprehension to an enemy, if England’s first line of defence should ever fail her! Let us now return to the town, but not wander through its streets for any length of time. With the exception of the High Street they are mostly narrow, miry, and squalid; crowded with small beer-shops and public houses; and always thronged by soldiers, seamen and marines. The streets and open places, the buildings and visible objects generally, are not such as to induce one to linger amongst them.’ Taken from Black’s Guide to Hampshire 1885

Wednesday 3 November 2010

Public houses and street names

Public houses have always played an important part in the history of Portsmouth. This is even reflected in local street names: White Horse Lane (earliest reference 1676), running between the High Street and St Thomas’s Street, was named after the White Horse Golden Lion Lane (earliest reference 1716) was named after the Golden Lion White Hart Row, now road, (earliest reference 1811), named after the White Hart Fighting Cocks Lane (now Pembroke Road) was called after the Fighting Cocks which stood on the corner of this road and the High Street. In 1952, eighteen Fulham ware mugs were excavated from this site.

Sunday 31 October 2010

A Fire on the Boyne

On 1 May 1795, HMS Boyne, a fine 98 gun ship was destroyed by fire in Portsmouth Harbour. Moody gives the following startling description: ‘Most of the crew were saved by boats, but the heat at length became so excessive that no further assistance could be given, and on the return of the tide she drifted out of the harbour, the fires issuing through every porthole. Her lower guns were shotted, and as these went off much damage was done, and some lives lost. After burning about seven hours, her powder magazine blew up, with an explosion which was sensibly felt over all Portsmouth. Shot, and pieces of timber, were thrown to a great distance; several boats were blown to atoms and twenty of their hands perished.’ Taken from Black’s Guide to Hampshire 1885

Saturday 30 October 2010

Grand Parade

This fashionable area of Portsmouth was the hub of activity and centre for military parades. It has variously been described as: ‘A most charming resort for the gay, the elegant and the distinguished of both sexes. The public promenades, on the Platform, Parade, Ramparts and the Queen’s Battery, where the company are regaled every fine evening with the most choice airs, performed by the military bands, are also a charming source of rational and healthful entertainment to minds susceptible to such exquisite pleasures.’ Mottley 1776 ‘this guard (the main) is very well situated as it commands the gate, the High Street and is near the magazine (Square Tower), the platform and the governor’ Leake 1729 ‘the ramparts next to the sea, with that beautiful prospect of the Isle of Wight, the ocean and the shipping’ Wilkinson ‘everything looked so beautiful under the influence of such a sky, the effects of the shadows pursuing each other, on the ships at Spithead and the island beyond’ Jane Austen in Mansfield Park

Monday 25 October 2010

A Dockyard the size of a Town

‘The Dockyard resembles a town in the number of its dwelling houses, offices, storehouse, lofts and other edifices erected fro the various purposes of the yard. It contains amazing quantities of everything necessary for the royal navy. There are never less that 2,000 men employed in it, and in times of war upwards of 2,000..’ Guide to Portsmouth 1775

Thursday 21 October 2010

Portsmouth Dockyardmen

Employment in the Dockyard in Portsmouth for skilled craftsmen in the mid 1800s was unusually secure for the period. The ‘established men’ were kept on at all times while ‘hired men’ were taken on only at busy periods and who could then be dismissed when no longer needed. There were a number of additional benefits to being an established man. A secure pension was paid after 20 years, paid holidays and sick leave provided, and workers also benefitted from free medical attention. These men and their families had little reason to fear the workhouse. The number of Dockyardmen fluctuated between 1500-5000 at this period. Considering the average mill or mine at this time employed 200-300 workers, Portsmouth Dockyard was one of the largest industrial undertakings in the country.

Wednesday 20 October 2010

Judge Jeffreys and Portsmouth

Portsmouth has a surprising connection with the notorious George Jeffreys. He was made Burgess of Portsmouth on 10 September 1684. From 1685 to 1688 he was Recorder of Portsmouth but it appears that the office was performed during this period by a deputy, William Westbrook, who subsequently succeeded him as Recorder in 1689. Persons who were condemned to death and executed in the Bloody Assize, presided over by Jeffreys, which followed Monmouth’s rebellion in 1685 included John Hicks. Hicks had been minister of the non-conformist congregation at Portsmouth from about 1675 to 1681. This congregation was responsible for the later building the High Street Chapel. Additionally Alice Lady Lisle of Moyles Court near Ringwood was condemned by Jeffreys for giving shelter to Hicks and another man after the Rebellion. Jeffreys died in the Tower of London on 18 April 1689. Following the flight of James II overseas in December 1688, Jeffreys had himself tried to escape but was recognised and imprisoned.

Friday 8 October 2010

Warblington Street

This name was adopted after the stone and brick from the ruined Warblington Castle, a few miles from Portsmouth, was used in the building of the newer houses. The name was in use from 1672 although this road was previously known as Hoggyn Markett or Hogmarkett Streete reflecting the livestock market that was held here. Both names were used interchangeably until the mid 1770s. In 1721, the local court heard the following complaint: ‘That the pavements before almost all the houses in Hogmarket als Warblinton Street are very ruinous out of Repair and that the laying of Dung, Filth and Burchers Offal there is a comon nuisance.’ Warblington Castle had been slighted in the Civil War by Parliamentarian forces.

Monday 4 October 2010

Henry I

In 1133 the last embarkation of Henry I from Portsmouth harbour was marked by an earthquake following a total eclipse of the sun wrecking a number of vessels of the Royal fleet. In gratitude for his deliverance the King founded a church within the walls of Portchester Castle.

Calling the Powers that Be to account

Before the modern structure of the council, much of the day to day running of Portsmouth was conducted by Constables who were paid officials. Complaints about their conduct could be made in the local courts and if the complaints were found valid, monetary punishment could be made. In 1554 the Portsmouth Constables were presented at Court for failure to ensure monthly that all people between the ages of 7 and 60 had bows and arrows. At this time there were 3 constables and they were each fined 12 pence. In 1618 some citizens were discontented with the way the town was run. The constables of Portsmouth were presented to the sessions court: ‘for neglectynge ther office in suffering and not punishing vakabondes, rogges and numskulls to stay in the towne contrary to the Statute’. A similar complaint was made in 1620 and 1627: ‘We present the Constables of the Burrough that they amend the Stocks, Cage, and Whipping Posts and Pillory at or before the first day of December next on paine to loose Vis. VIIId.’

Friday 1 October 2010

An 1883 bye-law

There is much in the local news recently about public disorder in Portsmouth. A bye-law passed in 1883 states that; ‘no person within the Borough of Portsmouth shall by shouting, singing, bawling, ringing a bell, or by playing on any instrument, make a disturbance in or near any thoroughfare or by any means, whatsoever, cause persons to collect so as to obstruct the free and uninterrupted passage.’ It appears that this was not enforced even at the time moving one commentator in 1910 to state: ‘If measures are not taken to prevent annoyance to pedestrians and residents, Portsmouth will soon get the reputation for being a badly governed town.'

Wednesday 29 September 2010

The Keppel’s Head

This hostelry has stood as a landmark on the Hard in Portsmouth and has been familiar to generations. The original Keppel’s Head dates to the latter part of the 18th century. It was built, probably in 1779, on the site of a row of cottages which had been ruined by fire. This new building was also completely destroyed however by a fire in 1803 despite the best efforts of the naval, military and civil authorities who all pitched in to rescue it. No one was injured but a public subscription was raised with £400 presented to the well liked proprietor, Mr Wickenden, who had not been insured. When rebuilt it became a favourite haunt of Sub–Lieutenants from the Naval Educational Establishment in the Dockyard who affectionately called it the ‘Nut’. It was said they quizzed a waiter, William, for the answers to forthcoming exams for he infallibly gave them the correct answers. The hotel was named after Admiral Augustus Keppel who in 1779 was court-martialled for alleged cowardice in the presence of the enemy. The Admiral was acquitted with the charges being found ‘malicious and unproved’. The news was perceived in Portsmouth as a triumph, both of innocence over vice and a popular Admiral over an unpopular Ministry. Riots ensued with the Admiralty Gate being torn down, official residences attacked and bonfires blazing in Keppel’s honour. The rioters drank his health and publicans painted his head on their signs. The Keppel’s Head was again damaged by fire in 1879 and was completely burned out during the Blitz of March 1941. Interestingly, there is a well in the basement.

Monday 27 September 2010

Notes on Death of King Edward VII

King Died – 6th May 1910 King George V proclaimed King – 9th May 1910 Not known until morning of the 9th that Proclamation would take place that day. ‘Proclamation on Guildhall steps: Head of Naval and Military Establishments present. 100 Men of Gloucester Regiment with Band and Colour 100 Naval Men The Mayor preceded by the Mace Bearer with Mace draped in crepe. On the strike of 9 the Town clerk read the Proclamation. During the reading all present stood at the salute, Naval and Military Guards presenting Arms. As final works ‘God Save the king’ were repeated, band played God Save the King’. The Mayor called for three cheers for King George V. Then one for Queen Mary. This concluded the proceedings.’ Extracted from Portsmouth City Records Office, I/3

Tuesday 21 September 2010

Concern for a Tower

Portsmouth City Council is concerned that the fortifications at the mouth of the harbour are being eroded by the sea. This is not new. In the 16th century, Portsmouth had the following regulation: ‘…which hathe continued the space of ij hundred yeares and ore’, that all the passage botes that sayle usithe between the yle of wighte and portsmouthe should brynge everye of them once in the yeare one bote lode of rocke stones and leye them within the pyles of the rounde Tower near to the haven’s mouthe by the maiors appointment and order…’ The records do not show how successful this regulation was, but the Round Tower has survived through the generations to still be with us today.

Friday 17 September 2010

Early Railways

The railway arrived in Gosport on the opposite side of Portsmouth Harbour in 1842 but did not reach Portsmouth, by far the bigger settlement, until 1847. Part of the reason for the delay was prevaricating by the Board of Ordnance who resisted the breaching of Hilsea lines, fortifications built to protect the northern area of Portsea Island.

Wednesday 15 September 2010

South Parade Pier

South Parade Pier in Southsea was opened in July 1879 by Princess Edward of Saxe-Weimar. Its length of 460 foot was longer than its rival, Clarence Pier, and it could accommodate 1000 people in an impressive octagonal pavilion at its head. It has had a chequered history including being partially demolished during WWII, and catching fire several times. Indeed, in 1974, scenes of this pier accidentally burning are featured in the film by Ken Russell, Tommy. A host of famous performers have performed here including Peter Sellers, David Bowie and Genesis. To find out more, visit the website: http://www.southparadepier.co.uk/history.php Records are also located at the Portsmouth City Records Office: http://www.portsmouthrecordsoffice.co.uk/

Monday 13 September 2010

Thomas Telford

This famous engineer, not renowned for spending time on the south coast, built two buildings in Portsmouth Dockyard while he was employed as Admiralty Clerk of Works. These buildings, Short Row (officer housing for those indispensable at all times to the running of the Yard) and Admiralty House, were erected in and 1787 respectively 1789 respectively.

Friday 10 September 2010

How To Flatter A Little Man

In 1947 the Sunday Graphic gave the following advice to its female Portsmouth readership. When faced with a husband who is smaller than his wife, she should: ‘aim to keep points of interest low; it is a good idea to make the hands all important. If they are beautifully kept and flattered with the best jewellery you can afford they can do a lot to help. No piled up hair, no steeple hats, outstanding ear-rings or flowing veils with brilliant blobs.’ He should: ‘be dressed importantly. A bold tie, a substantial jacket and an overcoat with well-built shoulders. Stout shoes wherever possible… They should always be in good repair, especially the heels… Have him wear a hat if he will.’ The same paper lamented the rise in divorce (‘You don’t need me to tell you that the collapse of home life must mean in the end the collapse of the nation.’), argued against the use of gin traps, discussed the level of child cruelty, offered a short story by Enid Blyton, advertised Ginger Rogers and David Niven in Magnificent Doll and explained how Portsmouth was governed. Portsmouth City Records Office I/9

Wednesday 8 September 2010

Oyster Street

This ancient street in Portsmouth was named after the catch landed by the fishing boats that have always used the sheltered waters of the Camber. The name first appears in 1549 and is regularly being used from 1666. In 1801, it was noted that in Portsmouth ‘Bread and oysters are sold… particularly by the gallon’ and a tourist mentions that he ‘lunches from an oyster stall’. Excavations in the area have also uncovered the remnants of a substantial local taste for oysters.

Tuesday 7 September 2010

A Description of the Hard

‘Thirty years ago (it) was a place which seemed to belong to the previous century. There were no great houses and handsome shops, but in their place, a picturesque row of irregular cottages, no two of which were exactly alike… They were two storied houses; the upper story was very low, the ground floor was below the level of the street…A wooden bench was placed along the iron railing near the beach, on which sat every day, and all day long, old sailors, in a row.’ Extracted from By Celia’s Arbor by Walter Besant, 1878. To find out more about Besant and his connections with Portsmouth, consult Portsmouth Paper no 74, Portsmouth Novelists by David Francis.

Wednesday 25 August 2010

Honorary Freemen of Portsmouth

Although it has deep roots, the granting of the Freedom of the City in Portsmouth is now reserved as a reward for gallantry or public service. It is now a purely honorary distinction and confers no special privileges. Among the people made Honorary Freemen of Portsmouth have been: • David Lloyd George (1853-1945) – Prime Minister • HRH the Prince of Wales (1894 – 1972) – First Freeman of the City. Known from 1937 as the Duke of Winsor • Field Marshal the Rt Hon Viscount Montgomery of Alamein (1887 – 1976) – Based in Portsmouth before and during WWII • The Rt Hon Sir Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965) – Prime Minister who took a great interest in the welfare of Portsmouth and its citizens. • Sir Alec Rose (1908 – 1991) – through his sailing activities brought fame and honour to his home city of Portsmouth • Earl Mountbatten on Burma (1900 – 1979) – Admiral of the Fleet who had close links with Portsmouth. • HRH The Prince of Wales (1948 - ) • The Rt Hon the Lord Callaghan of Cardiff – Prime Minister who was educated in Portsmouth • HRH The Princess of Wales (1961-1997)

Monday 23 August 2010

Demise of an ancient trade

‘Will there be any Portsea waterman left in two year’s time? It would be unsafe to prophesy, but the figures given at the meeting of the Ferry Commissioners on Tuesday at Gosport show unmistakeably how great a change has taken place in the methods of locomotion to the ships and across the harbour. There used to be 1,100 licenses; now there are only 75, and these have a difficulty in making both ends meet.’ It appears however, that the watermen did not help themselves. The article continues: ‘While the public has a good deal of sympathy with the survivors of a moribund calling, it must be admitted that the men are given considerable latitude in being permitted to importune excursionists who visit the Hard.’ The trade of waterman, once so essential and flourishing, soon was gone completely. Extracts taken from the Portsmouth Times, 9 June 1910.

Thursday 19 August 2010

The real effects of poor sanitation

‘I call your attention to a sink that is placed at the end of Green Lane, Somers Town, near Trafalgar College, and my premises. The sink was made during the time I was at sea, which prevented my objecting to it, and has been very offensive. My late neighbour, Commander Frankling, lost five daughters and his wife while living in the cottage. I lost a son some time back and a few weeks since a daughter from fever.’ S P Pritchard, Southend, Green Lane writing to the Report to the General Board of Health on the sewage, drainage and water supply of Portsmouth, 1850. Green Lane was one of the more respectable areas of Portsmouth at this time.

Tuesday 17 August 2010

Presenting the Keys of the Fortress

This unusual ceremony took place at the Landport Gate when a Sovereign visited Portsmouth. The Gate was closed and the Keys, to Landport and Quay Gates, both highly decorated and each over a pound in weight, were presented to the Sovereign. They would then be returned to the Garrison commander and a Royal Command given to ‘throw open the gates of His Majesty’s Fortress that the King may enter’. This ceremony occurred for the last time on 8 June 1959 when the current Queen came to re-open the Portsmouth Guildhall.

Sunday 15 August 2010

Striking Shipwrights

The Dockyardmen of Portsmouth in the 1800s developed a unique workplace culture. Work progressed at a measured pace, with an emphasis on quality rather than speed, leading to some criticism for idleness. Change was accepted only slowly and sometimes not at all. For example, in 1839 the Admiralty decided to make up for working time lost at musters by adding 15 minutes to the working day. When introduced, all work just stopped, the Master Shipwright was moved to intervene and the Admiralty quietly backed down.

Thursday 5 August 2010

The Cage

A fearsome method of punishment handed to miscreants by the local courts was ‘The Cage’ located in St George’s Square. This measured only six foot square and transgressors were incarcerated in full public view.

Thursday 29 July 2010

Swimming Club

Portsmouth Swimming Club was established in 1875 and in its heyday had over 1,500 members who swam from bathing stages, segregated for men and women, by Clarence Pier.

Sunday 25 July 2010

Portsmouth Brickworks

Portsea Island is covered in brickearth and the majority of local houses were built from this clay, being usually dug, clamped and fired on or near the construction site. By the interwar years a large operation, Portsmouth Brickworks, had been established on the present site of the Burrfields Road industrial estate.

Friday 16 July 2010

Peculiar Constitutions

The inhabitants of Portsmouth ‘… are badly supplied with water, having none but what partakes of a saline quality; and even this is so scarce that were it not for showers of rain, which is most industriously catched by everyone, people could not possibly subsist. As it is, if their constitutions were not of a very peculiar make, they would long before now have attempted a remedy for so great an evil; …’ Taken from The Borough being a faithfull tho’ humerous account of one of the strongest garrisons and seaport towns in GB published in 1748.

Tuesday 13 July 2010

A Civil War Governor

‘… on account of his private vices of drunkenness, cruelty and rapacity, and of his political timidity and treachery, scarcely anyone was more unworthy to be trusted with any important matters for counsel or execution’. Edward Hyde, later the Earl of Clarendon, describing Col George Goring, Governor of Portsmouth during the Civil War.

Sunday 11 July 2010

The King’s Rooms

There is now no trace of an extraordinary building that stood on the site now occupied by Clarence Pier. Built largely in 1824/5, and named after a visit by the Duke of Clarence who later became William IV, this building had aspirations to have an aura of a London Club. It included an assembly room complete with chandeliers, reading and card rooms and a long colonnade that overlooked the sea. Its enterprising owner, Mr Hollingsworth, installed solid marble warm vapour baths, one for each sex, which were equipped with steam pumps capable of raising 40 gallons of water per minute from the sea. Balls were held here which ‘attracted the greatest assemblages of rank and fashion ever known in the neighbourhood’. It was at the King's Rooms in 1845 that a Capt Seaton quarrelled with Lieut Hawley leading to the reputedly last duel to be fought in this country.

Friday 9 July 2010

Domus Dei

The first hospital in Portsmouth, Domus Dei or the Hospital of St Nicholas, was founded in 1212 by Peter de Rupibus, Bishop of Winchester (who also founded St Thomas' Hospital in London). It continued to give sanctuary to both pilgrims and the poor until 1540 when it was closed by Henry VIII's reformation of the monasteries. It covered much of Governor's Green with the Garrison Church now being the only visible reminder. A forthcoming Time Team programme is based on this interesting piece of Portsmouth's history.

Wednesday 7 July 2010

Two Police Forces

Since modern policing began, there have always been two forces in Portsmouth. The formation of the Dockyard police began in the 1770s; a standing force was formed in 1834 and in 1860 the Admiralty asked the Metropolitan Police to take over guarding the Yard. This force mainly existed to deter unwanted people from entering and attempt to stop the widespread, endemic pilfering. This was always separate from the City of Portsmouth police force who patrolled the streets of the town.

Sunday 4 July 2010

The Lady with the Lamp

In 1856, 2500 soldiers, sailors and Marines who had fought in the Crimean War were given a sumptuous banquet in a specially erected and beautifully decorated pavilion on Governor's Green in Portsmouth. The highlight was masses of red, white and blue flowers sent by Florence Nightingale.

Friday 2 July 2010

No selling of the silver

For 1838 the following is recorded in the City of Portsmouth Corporation records: ‘The Town Council made a wise decision for which future generations will bless them. They decided, unlike many other of the new Corporations, not to sell the Civic Plate which had been presented during the three preceding centuries, and so the City Corporation today possesses a very fine collection of historic plate.’ This far sighted decision, at a time of great hardship in Portsmouth, enabled the wonderful collection of civic plate to be placed in the safe keeping of the current for the future generation of Portsmouth residents. The Municipal Reform Act of 1835, which replaced the old system of civic government by new corporations with greater powers and responsibilities, had a profound effect on the way local life was governed.

Monday 28 June 2010

A visit by Dickens

In 1838 when Charles Dickens was undertaking research for Nicholas Nickleby, he visited Portsmouth. Of this visit, it was said: ‘He succeeded in finding suitable lodging for Vincent Crummles at Balph the pilots, in St Thomas’s Street for Miss Snevellicci at a tailor’s in Lombard Street; while Nickleby and his companion were quartered at a tobacconist’s on the Common Hard, which he describes as a ‘dirty street leading down to the dockyard’. Dickens was born in Portsmouth in 1812 and was a returning visitor throughout his life.

Friday 25 June 2010

Bawdy Houses

One of the consequences of Portsmouth being a Naval and garrison town has been the preponderance of cases coming before the courts concerning unruliness. As early as 1655 the Justices received a petition from 23 local notables complaining about a Joan Wilkes running a bawdy house on the Point and who was ‘an uncivil and ungodly woman, who curses and swears and is great disturber to her neighbours’.

Wednesday 23 June 2010

A statue for a Queen

In 1903, to reflect public sentiment, the Mayor of Portsmouth started a fund to place a statue of Queen Victoria within the town. He quickly raised £1,700, the statue was created by Alfred Drury ARA and was placed with pageantry in Town Hall Square. Rather unusual attendees at this event were sailors from an American Fleet which had arrived the previous day at Spithead. The statue remains today in Guildhall Square although in a slightly different location.

Monday 21 June 2010

Horse drawn trams

Portsmouth had extensive network of horse drawn trams inaugurated in 1865. These ran until 1903 by which time the whole network had become electrified.

Thursday 17 June 2010

Migration to Canada

In 1868 sweeping cuts were made to the Dockyard workforce in Portsmouth. Great suffering was seen as a result with several hundred families giving up on the town and migrating to Canada. The 1867 Reform Act had empowered Dockyardmen with the vote. The subsequent election in 1868 was used to register the strong local discontent with the ruling Liberal Government who had inflicted such pain, which remain etched on the memory of a whole generation.

Tuesday 15 June 2010

Marriage of a King

The eyes of the known world were upon Portsmouth in 1662 when Charles II married Catherine of Braganza. The parish church had been severely damaged in the Civil War, so the ceremony took place in the Governor’s House. The couple did not get off to an auspicious start. The King was detained elsewhere at the time of her arrival and when he eventually arrived, an affronted Catherine had fallen ill with a heavy cold. When comforted with English ale, she reported immediately sent for tea from her Royal Barge, possibly the first tea drunk in England. Samuel Pepys noted the occasion. ‘I followed the crowd of gallants though the Queen’s lodging to the Chapel, the room being all rarely furnished, and escaped hardly being set on the fire yesterday. The mayor, Mr Trimbrill, our anchorsmith, showed me the present they have for the Queen – a salt cellar of silver, the walls of chrystal (sic) with four eagles and for greyhounds standing up at the top to bear the dish.’ In additional to marrying his wife here, Charles also made his mistress, Louise de Queruoille, the Duchess of Portsmouth.

Sunday 13 June 2010

Marc Isambard Brunel

Father of Isambard Kingdom, this extraordinary engineer arrived in England in 1799 having been the Chief Engineer of New York at the age of 28. He brought with him knowledge of how to mechanise block making which the admiralty officials hoped to capitalise upon. It took him ten years to introduce his now famous block-making machines in a factory in Portsmouth Dockyard, but they were to revolutionise the work and remained in operation for over 100 years.

Friday 11 June 2010

Civic Plate

Portsmouth’s civic plate is of national importance ranked only second to that of Norwich (which unlike Portsmouth had its own silver trade and assay office). The bulk of the collection was gathered during a relatively short period between the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. It has had an extraordinary history. This includes surviving several threats of invasion, bombardment during the Civil War and the upheaval of the Restoration, the Glorious Revolution and the devastation of the Blitz. On the night of 10-11 January 1941 over 2,000 fires were seen in the City and the Guildhall was one of the hundreds of buildings completely gutted. In a miraculous occurrence the muniment room concealed in the basement of the Guildhall survived the onslaught. When it was opened following the building burning for several days, all the plate, including the mace, was found undamaged. Although the City Council had to move to a hastily requisitioned hotel elsewhere in the City, the mace was still able to be placed before them for the remainder of the war, a visible symbol of hope and continuity.

Wednesday 9 June 2010

Birth of a dockyard

We order you, without delay, by the view of lawful men, to cause our Docks at Portsmouth to be enclosed with a Good and Strong Wall in such manner as our beloved and faithful William, Archdeacon of Taunton will tell you, for the preservation of our Ships and Galleys and likewise to cause penthouses to be made to the same Walls as the same Archdeacon will also tell you, in which all our Ships tackle may be safely kept; and use as much dispatch as you can in order that the same may be completed this summer lest in the ensuing winter our Ships and Galleys and their Rigging should incur any damage by your default; and when we know the cost it shall be accounted to you. An order to enclose an area of Portsmouth Harbour founding the Dockyard by order of King John 20 May 1212.

Monday 7 June 2010

Kassassin Street

Kassassin Street, Portsmouth is named after two battles that involved the Royal Marine Light Infantry and Royal Marine Artillery at Kassassin, Egypt in 1882.

Thursday 3 June 2010

Callaghan's birthplace

James Callaghan, Prime Minister from 1976-1979, was born in Copnor Portsmouth in 1912. He was made Freeman of the City in 1991 and in 1997 a road on Portsdown Hill was named Lord Callaghan Drive in his honour.

Tuesday 1 June 2010

Naval Academy

The Naval Academy in Portsmouth, founded in 1733, was the forerunner of the famous Royal Naval College in Dartmouth. The college provided residential accommodation for 40 students whose fees were comparable to those of Eton. The student numbers were increased by George III who ordered 15 free places reserved for the sons of sea officers. Notable old boys included Jane Austen's brothers, Francis and Charles, who both later became admirals. The building from 1906 became the Royal Naval School of Navigation which after bomb damage in WWII moved to Southwick. It is now the officer's mess. To find out more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Naval_Academy

Saturday 29 May 2010

Elms in Elm Grove

Late in 1902 the fine old elms that had made Elm Grove in Portsmouth a delightful thoroughfare were removed to make way for the erection of business premises. These businesses were often tacked on to the front of the large residential villas existing in the road at this time. Many of these can still be determined today behind the business facades. The nature of this road was changed completely by this act.

Thursday 27 May 2010

A Roman Fort

The oldest building in the Portsmouth area, Portchester Castle standing at the apex of the harbour, remains the only roman fort in Northern Europe whose enclosure stands virtually inviolate and has walls to their original true height. It has, of course, been repaired several times but it retains its almost perfect square shape and 14 of its original 20 bastions. It was built in the third century so has stood proud through its varied uses for the last 1700 years.

Monday 24 May 2010

Echoes of an airport

Several road names recall the long lost Portsmouth Airport. Airport Service Road recalls its location, Norway Road remembers Neville Shute Norway, a founder of Airspeed Limited which manufactured aircraft from this site, and Dundas Road commemorates R K Dundas Ltd, agents for Airspeed in India.

Wednesday 19 May 2010

Life in Milton

‘The roads in the rural district of St Mary’s ward are at all times in a very bad state of condition, and much infested with gypsies and loose cattle. There is a very obnoxious drain that runs through the village of Milton, which last year was the principal cause of the death of six inmates of one house. There are also in this village several private roads…, the ditches of which are filled from the drain of a large cow-house, and the filth of the same is frequently placed on the road, much to the annoyance of the inhabitants. Jonathan Gain, Lumps Villa, Southsea writing to the Report to the General Board of Health on the sewage, drainage and water supply of Portsmouth, 1850.’

Monday 17 May 2010

Early Police

Portsmouth did not have a fulltime uniformed and waged police force to combat local unruliness until March 1836. Thirty men were employed to be based in three Watch Stations around Portsea Island. Once established however, although commended for their efforts in assisting the public and even saving their lives, the force were not averse to rule breaking themselves, and drunkenness on duty seems to have been rife. Individuals were frequently reprimanded for being the ‘worse for drink’ or socialising in a public house whilst on their beat. One troublesome Portsmouth Constable, Frank Longyear, was reported for ‘being under the influence of drink whilst on special duty at Sandringham House during a ball held there’. This was not his first offence and he was called upon to resign. Minor infractions such as ‘gossiping’ and ‘being found asleep in a shed’ could also lead to admonishment. The Portsmouth Records Office holds a full range of City police archives, including service records with photographs, which can be viewed freely every week day: www.portsmouthrecordsoffice.co.uk

Tuesday 11 May 2010

Cleopatra’s Coffin

Cleopatra’s coffin, along with statues and the hand of a figure ‘which is said to be eighty feet high’ was landed in Portsmouth in May 1802 as part of the treasures collected by Lord Elgin.

Thursday 6 May 2010

Gaols

Those who found themselves in gaol in Portsmouth did not have a comfortable existence. The first recorded gaol was the ‘Whitehouse’, a converted private residence located on the High Street next to the Crown Inn. No bedding or straw was provided, only the most basic of rations (debtors received nothing) were given and there was no segregation of the sexes. A purpose built gaol was not erected until 1808. It was situated in Penny Street where it remained until 1878 when the current prison in Kingston was built.

Tuesday 4 May 2010

Wartime fundraising

Throughout generations Portsmouth has been paying to fortify the nation. Within living memory, during World War II, fundraising events to support the war effort were regular features of life. Examples include during May 1943, Portsmouth raised £1.2 million during Wings for Victory week which was enough to pay for 100 Spitfire fighters. Even more generously, in March 1942 Portsmouth people gave £1.3 million to pay for the cruiser HMS Sirius.

Sunday 2 May 2010

Portsmouth and Quarr Abbey

Although the medieval archives of Portsmouth have been lost, documents survive in the National Archives (E 326, E315) which list the rents payable to Quarr Abbey, Isle of Wight, on various properties in Portsmouth. From these we can identify the names of the leading burgesses of Portsmouth and, as this was the period during which occupational names were becoming family names, we can gain an impression of their businesses. One of these documents in particular (E326/9366), dated 1257, lists the rents of twelve residents due to Quarr. Extracts include: 'the said monks had and recieved in the aftersaid town of Portsmouth two pounds of wax at Michaelmas, by the grant of Herbert Justice, from a dwelling which stands by the sea shoure, namely from the one standing between the dwelling which belonged to the aforesaid Osbert of Lutegaresale (i.e. Ludgershall, Wiltshire) and that of Henry the Fisherman' 'two pounds of wax at the Assumption of blessed Mary (15 August), by the grant of Stephen the Butcher, from the dwelling house standing between the one which belonged to the aforesaid Stephen and that of John Truc'. To find out more read the Portsmouth Archives Review, 1977.

Wednesday 28 April 2010

The Runaway Church

This was the local nickname given to St James Church in Milton. For many decades after it was built, Milton remained a small rural community and when couples made the effort to come from other parishes, it was assumed that they were eloping.

A link with Busselton

Anyone consulting the parish registers for St Mary’s, Portsea in the early years of the 1800s will be grateful to the curate William Bussell for his neat handwriting. His death in 1820 however left his widow and large family facing hardship resulting in, like so many others at the time, their emigration to Western Australia. Here they became established as prosperous farmers leading to the founding of Busselton, one of the oldest settlements in the area. There is a plaque commemorating this family still in St Mary’s church, Portsea. To find out more about Busselton: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bussell_family

Monday 26 April 2010

Jubilee Terrace

One of the first buildings in Southsea, this terrace was started in 1809 and completed in 1827. It was named after the Golden Jubilee of George III.

Saturday 24 April 2010

Return of the First Settlers

In 1586 Sir Fancis Drake sailed into Portsmouth carrying home the disillusioned settlers from Sir Walter Raleigh's first settlement to Virginia. Their leader, Ralph Lane, is credited with bringing potatoes and tobacco into the Town. Lane and his crew smoked the tobacco to the wonder of the local inhabitants. The collections of the Portsmouth Museum Service include a pipe from this date possibly manufactured at nearby Oyster Street where archeological excavations have discovered one of the earliest pipe manufacturers in the country. To find out more about this ill fated colony: http://www.btinternet.com/~richard.towers/jim/raleigh1.html Ralph Lane was knighted and in 1588 appointed Captain of Southsea Castle.

Thursday 22 April 2010

Emanuel Emanuel

This prominent member of the long standing Jewish community in Portsmouth became its first Jewish Mayor, and one of its finest civic leaders, in 1866. He was a successful jeweller operating from the High Street but it is his involvement with civic affairs that has left an outstanding legacy in the City today. He, together with the then Governor, Lord Frederick Fitzclarence, decided to construct Clarence Parade along the seafront, and he was also instrumental in the creation of the People’s Park, now known as Victoria Park, the first public park in the Portsmouth. A glorious memorial in his memory stands near Canoe Lake: http://www.memorials.inportsmouth.co.uk/southsea/emanuel.htm

Tuesday 20 April 2010

Lord Anson's navigation

On 18 September 1740 Lord George Anson sailed on a daring mission from Portsmouth to disrupt Spanish shipping and capture some of her Pacific assets. His squadron consisted of six vessels with the Centurion, which had been built in Portsmouth in 1732, as its flagship. When Anson returned to Portsmouth in 1844, having circumnavigated the globe, only 188 of the original 1854 men returned with him mainly due to horrific losses from diseases such as scurvy. They had however captured a Spanish galleon, the Covadonga, which was carrying 1,313,843 pieces of eight and 35,682 ounces of silver. Anson took three-eighths of the prize money which by one estimate came to £91,000 compared with the £719 he earned as captain during the 3 year 9 month voyage. He became an overnight national celebrity and was promoted to First Lord of the Admiralty in 1751. From here he assisted many of the officers that sailed with him with illustrious careers such as Philip Saumarez and Augustus Keppel. Another legacy of the voyage was the discovery of the breadfruit plant which later inspired sending HMS Bounty on the voyage during which the famous mutiny occurred. To find out more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Anson%27s_voyage_around_the_world

Sunday 18 April 2010

A Farewell to Nelson

'by the time he had arrived on the beach some hundreds of people had collected in his train, pressing all around and pushing to get a little before him to obtain a sight of his face. I stood on one of the batteries near where he passed and had a full view of his person. As the barge in which he embarked pushed away from the shore, the people gave three cheers which his Lordship returned by waving his hat.' Benjamin Silliman describing Nelson's departure from Portsmouth to fight the Battle of Trafalgar, 15 September 1805. The gathered crowds were so great that after his breakfast at a nearby inn, The George, Nelson slipped out the back and crossed to the beach over a small wooden drawbridge which cut through the fortifications at Spur Redoubt. From the beach he joined his fleet which was waiting off Spithead. This bridge was restored in 2005 as part of the commemorations for the 200th anniversary of the Battle and now forms part of The Nelson Trail.

Friday 16 April 2010

The first Co-operative

In 1796 the workers in the Dockyard formed ‘The Portsmouth Dock Mill Co-operative Society’, which according to set rules that they devised, was to produce flour for their member’s use. Although little is known about this venture, it predates the more famous co-operative formed in Rochdale by 44 years. The Society built their mill on then unused land in Southsea on what is now Wisborough Road. Having seven storeys and standing 100 feet tall, it dominated the landscape as the suburb gradually grew up around it, once being described as ‘the Mightiest Mill in all Britain’. It was finally demolished in 1923 although the mill cottages, built for the workers, still remain.

Wednesday 14 April 2010

Fish selling a Great Nuisance

In 1848 the shop keepers of Landport felt they had cause to complain, stating that: ‘to the great nuisances in this neighbourhood arising from the sale of fish often in a putrid state, the effluvia arising from the same, particularly in summer time, debarring us from opening a window to admit the air, being compelled to keep all closed to avoid, as far as possible, the awful stench, and our families sometimes retching from the unwholesome effects. We have no doubt that it has been the cause of much illness in the place and it is not unusual to see from twelve to twenty wheelbarrows and hand-carts loaded with skate, conger eels, etc: the heads and entrails may be frequently seen lying about the following morning, which is very disgusting and unhealthy.’ Report to the General Board of Health on the sewage, drainage and water supply of Portsmouth, 1850. A recent visit to the Saturday market in Commercial Road, Landport revels not much has changed in the intervening 160 years.

Monday 12 April 2010

The FA Cup

Pompey has won the FA Cup on two occasions, in 1939 and 2008. In both years, the people of the town came out in thousands to see the team parade on buses, before congregating in Guildhall Square (1939) or on Southsea Common (2008). The impact of international events was felt in 1939, when the outbreak of World War II and the subsequent suspension of the competition, meant that by fluke Pompey entered the record books for holding onto the Cup for the longest period in its history (1939 - 1945).

Thursday 8 April 2010

Portsmouth Point



 
Until the removal of the fortifications from the 1860s, Point, a spit of land just inside the harbour entrance, stood outside the fortress town of Portsmouth. It was therefore was not subject to the same laws and regulations, such as curfew, as the residents inside the walls. It was further isolated by a strip of water, part of the moat, which crossed Broad Street cutting it off completely from the town. As a result the area was notorious for debauchery. It was also known as Spice Island which may or may not be a reference to the merchant trade who landed spices here from all over the known world. Access from was gained over a drawbridge and through the King James’ Gate, situated near the Square Tower, which was erected in 1687 and was the oldest stone gate built in Portsmouth.

Tuesday 6 April 2010

An Original Street Pattern

It was in about 1180, the time of Richard I, that John de Gisors laid out streets and plots to form a settlement in the south west corner of Portsea Island. This is almost certainly the same street layout that can still be found in Old Portsmouth today.

Sunday 4 April 2010

Peter the Great

The Russian Emperor, Peter the Great, visited Portsmouth in 1698 under the pseudonym Peter Michailoff. He toured the Dockyard and watched a the fleet in sham action off Spithead at the harbour mouth.

Wednesday 31 March 2010

First women bus drivers

In World War II many women were required to take jobs that had previously only been in the province of men. One example was in 1941 when two women from Portsmouth became the first women in England to qualify as bus drivers.

Monday 29 March 2010

Quebec House

Slightly jutting in to the mouth of Portsmouth Harbour is this weather boarded privately owned house complete with its own modern open air swimming pool. It has had a varied history, including use both as a custom house and a rumoured centre for smuggling. It was originally built by public subscription in 1754 as a sea water bathing house. It is positioned over the water and a large trap door in one of the major rooms allowed private access for bathers.

Saturday 27 March 2010

Rendezvous of the fashionable world

"Portsmouth had been now, for many months, the rendezvous of the fashionable world; every gay young man of fortune, and woman also, in their circle of joyous amusements, took a transient view of it; whilst those who have a relish of one of the noblest sights, which art or industry has yet produced, considered our fleet of capital ships, at this time in particular, with delight and exultation." Jonas Hanway, inventor of the umbrella, describing Portsmouth in a letter dated 9 August 1755.

Thursday 25 March 2010

D Day

Portsmouth played a central role in the D Day invasion of Normandy in June 1944. Not only was it a place of departure on the day but the Supreme Allied Commander, General Eisenhower, had his headquarters at Southwick House. Portsmouth’s involvement was not just one day; the build up of troops and materials had been filling local streets for many months. In the aftermath, during June and July 1944, Portsmouth Dockyard repaired 418 ships and landing crafts.

Tuesday 23 March 2010

Winter Road

This road in Portsmouth is named after Henry Winter, a successful wood and timber merchant in the town during the mid 1800s. Interestingly he married Maria Beadnell who had been the first love of another Portsmouth resident, Charles Dickens. She is thought by some to have been the inspiration for Dora in David Copperfield. Maria is buried in Highland Road cemetery.

Sunday 21 March 2010

A new suburb

"Since the increase of Business at this Place, by the long continuance of the War, the Confluence of People has been so great, and the Town not admitting any enlargement for Buildings, that a kind of Suburb, or rather a New Town has been built on the healthy Ground adjoining to the Town, which is so well built, and seems to increase so fast, that in time it threatens to outdo for Numbers of Inhabitants, and beauty of Buildings, even the Town itself; and particularly by being unconfin'd by the Laws of the Garrison, as above, and unencumbered with the Corporation burthens, Freedoms, Town Duties, Services and the like." Daniel Defoe describing the new development of Portsea in 1724. The older town was Portsmouth which as a garrison was surrounded by massive fortifications.

Friday 19 March 2010

The Pitt Street Baths

Following a series of sea disasters in which sailors had needlessly died, the Admiralty decided in 1906 that all new recruits should receive swimming and life saving lessons for half an hour per day. In Portsmouth, The Royal Naval School of Physical Training baths were opened as a response in 1910. Cadets were aided by harnesses attached to ropes and poles suspended from the roof. The unusual ironwork this necessitated was to lead to some puzzlement during the later years of the building's life. These baths later became a notable gym and were ultimately demolished in 2008. The author’s mother took gym lessons here in the 1930s and her children attended parties in the 1990s. A real piece of unusual local history has been lost.

Wednesday 17 March 2010

Boris Johnson's opinion

"One of the most depressed towns in Southern England, a place that is arguably too full of drugs, obesity, underachievement and Labour MPs". Boris Johnson, currently Mayor of London, describing Portsmouth. One, out of the two, Portsmouth MPs was Liberal Democrat at the time. For more quotes, see http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-468727/A-selection-Boris-Johnsons-memorable-quotes.html#ixzz0iSOxaT3Y

Monday 15 March 2010

Raids by the French

Portsmouth was raided by the French at least four times in the 1300s – 1338, 1369, 1377 and 1380. On each occasion the town was sacked and burnt with great loss of life. As a result, in 1395, Portsmouth fitted out a squadron at its own expense to harry the French. These raids also almost certainly prompted the earliest fortifications to be built. The building of the Round Tower, originally known as King Edward’s Tower, was commenced in 1418.

Saturday 13 March 2010

Province of Freedom

1787 did not just see one fleet filled with convicts sailing for the first time from Portsmouth to set up a new colony in an unknown place. In the minds of many contemporaries the famous sailing of the first fleet to Australia was irrevocably linked with another, now forgotten, destined for Cline Town in Sierra Leone. This less famous fleet was to remove many of the freed but poverty stuck ex slaves and convicts in London to form a utopian new colony, the Province of Freedom, in Africa. It was initially expected that these two fleets would sail together for part of the journey and both waited around Portsmouth for notification to sail. As the Daily Universal Register reported from Portsmouth in January 1787: 'The Naulitus, with the two transports and the Blacks, intended for the new settlement on the Coast of Guinea is expected to sail today.' In fact a series of delays affected both ventures. An epidemic of fever was followed by a small mutiny and the Naulitus finally sailed without those destined for Australia in mid February. Interestingly along with the 'poor blacks' were white women and some British merchants. They arrived in this Province of Freedom in May 1787. Although Sierra Leone sounded pleasant being described as 'there is plenty of wood, water and every necessity of life sufficient for the support of more than 1000 inhabitants', this new colony initally struggled. In 1808 the British took it over as its base for anti slavery naval patrols. Most of the residents stayed however, took over some British culture and language and formed the basis of the flourishing merchant Creole peoples of the area. To find out more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Sierra_Leone http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Province_of_Freedom Portsmouth Paper No 50: Portsmouth and the First Fleet 1786-1787

Thursday 11 March 2010

A Pageant of Portsmouth

In 1923, ‘A Pageant of Portsmouth’ was performed at Southsea Castle. This involved over 2,000 performers and showcased 12 differing episodes from the history of the Town. Following in this tradition, another ‘A Pageant of Portsmouth’ took place in June 2009 as part of the annual Portsmouth Festivities organised by the Portsmouth Grammar School. This time, a day consisted of activities, music and entertainment culminating in a ‘Ghost Shop Spectacle’ on Castle Field.

Tuesday 9 March 2010

Civil War

Perhaps the local episode of most national significance in the Stuart period was the siege of Portsmouth, which occurred at the beginning of the Civil War. Portsmouth was as always an important strategic asset and, having declared for the King, was besieged by the Parliamentarians in 1642. The dissolute Governor, Goring, capitulated after a promise of good conduct for himself and his followers, but not until after the Town had suffered considerable bombardment. It remained in Parliamentarian hands for the remainder of the War. However, Portsmouth retained strong links with the Crown for the whole period. Goring reputedly threw the keys to the Garrison into the sea from the Square Tower in a final act of defiance.

Sunday 7 March 2010

The Royal Seaman's and Marines' Orphan School

The bereft of Portsmouth have often been on the nation's conscience through past ages. One interesting result was the formation in 1834 of the Royal Seaman's and Marines' Orphan School. Unlike most schools at this time, this well endowed institution was strongly funded and had many eminent members of society, including Queen Victoria and the Prince Regent, as patrons. It was also handsomely supported through subscriptions given by the officers and men of many varying ships. The school educated, clothed and fed 60 boys and 30 girls and, from 1874, had prominent gothic premises in St Michael's Road. Virtually complete records for this institution survive at the Portsmouth Records Office. Full details for all scholars are included making them a goldmine for family historians. Very little work has, however, been undertaken so far on this enormously interesting and largely overlooked part of Portsmouth's past.

Friday 5 March 2010

A shark in St George's Square

One of the more unusual sights in St George’s Square, Portsmouth in 1813 must have been that of an enormous preserved basking shark. Placed on a vehicle which advertised, ‘The wonderful fish from Brighton, Sussex’, it attracted great crowds. Its owner reportedly made the huge sum of £600 from the spectacle.

Wednesday 3 March 2010

Omai the Tahitian and others

Portsmouth in the 1700s was one of the most cosmopolitan towns in the country. Omai the Tahitian visited more than once between 1774 - 1777 before being returned to the Sandwich Islands by Captain Cook. Cherokee chiefs were here in 1762, while other visits were made at this time by Lebanese princes, representatives from North African regencies and traders from far away places such as Danzig. To find out more about Omai: http://www.captcook-ne.co.uk/ccne/themes/omai.htm

Monday 1 March 2010

The Circus Church

Portsmouth has never been short of churches and has an intriguing religious history. One of the oddest elements has to be the Circus Church. The name derives from Hengler’s Equestrian Circus whose wooden building was used for the first mission services. It stood in Lion Gate Road, now Edinburgh Road, until a permanent chapel, which could seat an impressive 1700, was built in Surrey Street in 1863. To add to its strangeness, this evangelical church had no set parish and was privately owned by a Board of Trustees. It had a widely varying congregation including the Victorian reformer Agnes Weston. The church, like so many others, was badly damaged in the Blitz and finally demolished in the 1950s.

Saturday 27 February 2010

Felton’s Hole and other admonishments

An unpleasant punishment meted out by the Portsmouth courts was incarceration in Felton’s Hole. Located on Grand Parade, and regularly inundated by the sea, conditions were described as ‘so badd that some of the soldiers confest they would not put a dogg in there’. Those found guilty could also be banished from the Town, held in gaol, whipped, set to hard labour and, from 1788, transported to Australia.

Wednesday 24 February 2010

The youngest Mayoress

In November 1907, the country’s youngest mayoress, Doris Foster, made civic history when she was invested at the Guildhall in Portsmouth. Doris, whose mother had recently died, was aged only 5. She presided over, and added charm to, many note-worthy local occasions. In particular she helped enormously to raise funds totaling £1000 for the endowment of two cots in the children’s ward of the Royal Hospital. This feat is commemorated in a beautiful tiled mural constructed from Doulton tiles, originally positioned in the children’s ward, but now located in the City Museum.

Tuesday 23 February 2010

Death of a Temperance Advocate

In 1866 a temperance advocate, Noah Wareham, was violently kicked to death outside his house in Montagu Street, Portsmouth. There was a preponderance of beer houses and brewers in the town at this time who, together with naval and garrison elements, did not take kindly to the thought of someone preaching abstinence. There was a national outcry and a book entitled, ‘The life and martyrdom of Noah Wareham (late of Portsmouth)’ was written the following year by Frederic Beck.

Sunday 21 February 2010

King Alfred

In 897 King Alfred assembled ships in Portsmouth to fight a Danish fleet. The invaders were defeated and Alfred managed to capture 20 ships.

Saturday 20 February 2010

Visits by Henry VIII

Henry VIII took a great interest in maritime matters and visited his two great dockyards, Portsmouth and Deptford, frequently to inspect progress with the ships he had commissioned. He delighted in wearing an ‘admiral’s uniform’ which included breeches made of cloth of gold, scarlet stockings and a tunic of gold brocade. He also ‘blew near as loud as a trumpet or clarinet’ on a gold bosun’s whistle encrusted with jewels which completed the ensemble when worn around his neck. He must have cut quite a dash in the small town of Portsmouth.

Thursday 18 February 2010

The elite of Southsea

'A popular and fashionable parade ground with a constant stream of the elite of Southsea and the walk of cultivated society.' A description of Palmerston Road taken from 'Southsea and Portsmouth as seen from the Tramway Cars and on Foot'; a guidebook published in 1896.

Tuesday 16 February 2010

No running water

‘The present supply of water to the borough (Portsmouth) is very defective, and in numerous instances, as where pumping from the well lowers the fluid in the adjoining cesspool, it must be vitiated to a degree dangerous to health. Water is now obtained by the inhabitants from a company who have waterworks, - from pumps, - from local wells, - and from watercarts’. Report to the General Board of Health on the sewage, drainage and water supply of Portsmouth, 1850.

Sunday 14 February 2010

The First Umbrella

Jonas Hanway was born in Portsmouth in 1712. A noted philanthropist, and founder of the Marine Society, he is however more widely known as the first Englishman to use the archetypal symbol, the umbrella. Hanway had travelled widely as a representative of the Russia Company and brought back a prototype umbrella from Persia where they were used for protection against the sun. In the course of his varied career, he also become a Governor of the Foundling Hospital and fought the cause of mistreated young chimney sweeps. Jonas returned to his hometown in 1779 when he was commissioned by the Admiralty to look into the costs of a change of use for the Square Tower. The first British umbrellas were made of wood and oiled canvas and known as ‘Hanways’.

Thursday 11 February 2010

Mansfield Park

The heroine of this novel by Jane Austen, Fanny Price, hails from Portsmouth and much of the later stages of the book are set in the town. The Austen family were based in Hampshire had strong links with Portsmouth.

Tuesday 9 February 2010

Timothy Whites

The older generation will remember Timothy White’s shops as a mainstay of over 622 high streets through Britain. Timothy White opened his first shop selling household essentials in Portsea in 1848. Over the next decades he expanded to the Isle of Wight, Chichester and Petersfield. He was also involved in the wider life of the Town, being a supporter of the local Ragged School, a trustee of St John Portsea and a founder of the Portsmouth military volunteer movement. After Timothy’s death in 1908, the business was expanded throughout the country by his son and descendants. The chain was eventually sold to Boots in 1968.

Sunday 7 February 2010

Bad Behaviour

Local court records show that in 1669, a Henry Guppy was tried for causing a nuisance by depositing 10 cart loads of hog’s dung in Oyster Street thereby obstructing traffic. This, and hundreds of years of other local court records detailing our ancestor's daily lives, survive and are preserved for both us and future generations to enjoy and study at the Portsmouth Records Office.

Saturday 6 February 2010

Curtailing of drinking hours

Prior to the adoption of the Public House Act at a special meeting of the Portsmouth Town Council in 1866, there was no regulation of drinking hours. This, coupled with the enormous number of drinking establishments in Portsmouth, led to growing concern regarding the effects of the ‘Demon Drink’. Even so, this Act only required closure between the hours on 1 and 4 in the morning!

Tuesday 2 February 2010

Paddling in the Sea Life Centre

An enduring childhood memory for many who grew up in Portsmouth in the post war period was the fun to be had at the paddling pool situated to the west of Southsea Castle. This was built in 1928 as part of a programme of improvements to the Common. Additionally there was a much loved miniature train that circled the site. In the 1980s the site was redeveloped and became the Sea Life Centre.

Sunday 31 January 2010

Wool

Portsmouth is not generally acknowledged for its early agriculture but in the fourteenth century wool was an important component of the local economy. For example in 1327 Portsmouth was one of only 57 towns to send representative wool merchants to consult with the King at York.

Friday 29 January 2010

Percy Boulnois

Few council employees have been as capable and have left a legacy in Portsmouth such as Percy Boulnois. Elected to the post of Borough Engineer in 1883, during his six year stay he built: a paved promenade; a road (part of the Esplanade) and retaining wall between the sea and the Common; a new customs house in the Camber; finished the public swimming baths; laid out Alexandra Park including one of the first bicycle tracks in the country; significantly increased the wharfage accommodation at Flathouse and constructed, despite some opposition, the Canoe Lake. He oversaw the plans for 3,025 new dwelling-houses and 636 miscellaneous buildings in three years. He even persuaded the Corporation to fit a salt water storage tank in the Square Tower to aid street cleaning. Percy remembered his time in Portsmouth with great fondness in later life. He left in 1889 to take up a similar position in Liverpool.

Monday 25 January 2010

VCs in Highland Road

The Victoria Cross was introduced in 1856 as a decoration to recognise outstanding military bravery. Highland Road cemetery in Portsmouth has the graves of eight holders of the award, the most of anywhere in the world, including that of Henry James Raby, the first person to whom it was ever given. To find out more visit the website of the Friends of Highland Road Cemetery: http://www.friendsofhighlandroadcemetery.org.uk/vc/index.htm

Saturday 23 January 2010

Visits from Russians

'As we passed through the Russian Fleet the sailors stared at us - so unlike English sailors, with their lips covered with dirty red moustachios, some in hairy caps, some in green jackets, and some in none. When they laughed, they looked like animals. Their ships appeared to be strongly built.' Benjamin Haydon describing a visit to Portsmouth by a Russian Squadron in 1809. The Russians were frequent visitors during this period. They made use of the medical facilities nearby at Haslar hospital and took on copious supplies of beer to the delight of the local ecomony.

Thursday 21 January 2010

Peter Sellers

Peter Seller's birthplace.
 
Peter Sellers was born in Southsea on 8 September 1925, the son of two performers who were appearing at the King’s Theatre. He joined them on stage at an early age, before becoming a comedy star on the radio. He moved to motion pictures and appeared in many films including the Pink Panther series.

Tuesday 19 January 2010

John Wesley

John Wesley, the theologian and reformer, preached in Portsmouth in 1749, at a new chapel in Orange Street, Portsea, again on 9 July 1753 and then most of the following years until 1790. He is recorded as stating in 1770, ‘the people in general here (Portsea) are more noble than most in the South of England’.

Sunday 17 January 2010

A bust in a Tower

Inset high into the wall of the Square Tower is a bust of Charles I. This was presented to Portsmouth to commemorate a visit in 1623. This inscription underneath reads, ‘After his travels in through all France and Spain, and having passed very many dangers both by sea and land, he arrived here on the 5th day of October 1623’. This originally continued, ‘There was the greatest applause of joy for his safety throughout the Kingdom that ever was known or heard of.’ A mystery surrounds the loss of this latter portion which may have been covered during resurfacing work in 1827 or alternatively was intentionally removed during the Civil War when Portsmouth fell into Parliamentarian hands. The original bust has been removed into the care of the Portsmouth Museum Service with a replica standing open to the elements.

Thursday 14 January 2010

The Hulks

The harbours around Portsmouth were home to many of the prison hulks, notorious for their terrible conditions, used to house thousands destined for transportation to Australia. There were several daring escape bids, most of which were thwarted by the thick harbour mud. Although these hulks held prisoners from all over the country, Portsmouth residents did not escape this cruel fate. Poor Samuel Winklayer was not only transported for stealing in January 1801, but he was also fined one shilling as well!

Tuesday 12 January 2010

John Pounds

John Pounds, who was born in Portsmouth in 1766, suffered a crippling industrial accident at the age of 15 whilst working in the Dockyard. He subsequently became a cobbler opening a tiny shop in a house in Highbury Street. Despite the lack of any training or materials, this remarkable man started teaching poor and often homeless children from this shop, sometimes up to 40 at a time. He gave lessons in basic reading, writing and arithmetic in addition to life skills such as cookery, carpentry and shoe making. John provided warm food and clothing and actively sought out the lowest and most underprivileged members of society. Many prominent Portsmouthians gradually provided support but John was unique in his time by offering free education. He died in 1839 at the age of 73 having practically helped the poor of Portsmouth for many decades. His little house in Highbury Street survived until the 1930s as a memorial. John Pounds is credited as being the inspiration behind the Ragged School movement begun in 1844 by Lord Shaftesbury. He was voted Portsmouth’s Man of the Millennium in 2000. If you would like to know more, there is a new book about his life: http://www.johnpounds.org.uk/heritage/

Sunday 10 January 2010

Hampshire Telegraph

In 1841 the Hampshire Telegraph and Sussex Chronicle was published by William Harrison at 81 High Street, Portsmouth. This lively liberal paper had a circulation of 3,300 outstripping Salisbury Journal and the Bristol Mercury, and making it one of the leading papers of its day in the south of England.

Friday 8 January 2010

The Common Hard

The Hard in Portsmouth dates from 1720 although the first buildings had appeared in the then named Ship and Castle Row, as early as 1710. These were residential although the area was soon taken over by businesses including many public houses. Being situated right outside the main Dockyard Gate, it was always popular with sailors whose ships had been paid off leading to a complaint to be made in 1859, ‘The Hard presents a scene of drunkenness and profligacy which baffles all description’. The building of the Hard itself, as a public landing spot in Portsea, was viewed with envious eyes by the older nearby settlement of Portsmouth leading to the following presentment at the Court Leet: ‘We present that the place called the Hard, latterly made to the water side nigh the Dock Gate within the liberties of this Burrough is a very great Damage to the inhabitants of the Burrough and tends to the Impoverishing of the same’. The Court Leet records can be viewed at Portsmouth Records Office, http://www.portsmouthrecordsoffice.co.uk/.

Wednesday 6 January 2010

Whipping

The punishments handed out by the courts of the past were considerably different to those today. Whipping was an early mainstay and could be administered in several ways. One of the crueller varieties involved tying the unfortunate transgressor to the back of a cart and whipping them whilst they were dragged through the streets. Such a fate befell Fulham Law who, for stealing a cloth coat, was whipped between the gaol to the Point in October 1699. The last public whipping in Portsmouth took place on 11 January 1816.

Monday 4 January 2010

Visit by the Queen of Portugal

The Queen of Portugal landed in Portsmouth in September 1707 and stayed for several days in the home of Thomas Ridge. He was a prominent brewer in the town and his house stood on the spot of the current Guildhall where there was a good supply of fresh water.