Whale Island

So named because its original shape resembled a whale, this island in Portsmouth Harbour was inundated during every spring tide until 1845. At this time, and over the coming decades, convict labour was used to deposit large amounts of mud excavated from the building of a nearby steam basin which increased the island’s size by 125% The Portsmouth Corporation sold the island to the Admiralty in 1861 for £1,000. Winchester College, who then owned a considerable portion of Portsea Island, protested that it was actually in their ownership, and eventually the proceeds were split. The Admiralty developed the area as its chief gunnery school. Today it houses HMS Excellent, the oldest shore training establishment in the Royal Navy and the Headquarters of Commander in Chief, Fleet.