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.

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

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.

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.

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/

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.

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

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.

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.