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

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.

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.