Monday 14 May 2012

An Explosion

‘An explosion has occurred at Gosport. There is no cause for alarm. You are however advised to keep open your windows to avoid damage in the event of further explosions.’

This was broadcast by police cars touring Portsmouth after two huge explosions in Gosport on the evening of 14 July 1950. They had been inundated by 999 calls after six lighters being loaded with depth charges and 1,000 ton bombs blew up at Bedenham Pier. Fortunately there were no fatalities but many of the shops as far away as Commercial and London Roads had their windows blown out.

Thursday 10 May 2012

Benefits of the sea

Southsea beach boasts a superiority over any other in the kingdom, for the clear sea-water, and the acknowledged utility which has followed the use of its baths in numerous complaints which bade defiance to medical skill.

Thomas Roscoe, 1830

Tuesday 8 May 2012

First balloon ascent

The first balloon ascent took place in Portsmouth in 1784.

Shortly after one of the author’s ancestors was an eye witness to a local ballooning accident.