Arthur Edward Cogswell

Cogswell was a local architect who, although not well known, left a strong mark on the appearance of Portsmouth lasting until this day.

He arrived in Portsmouth in the early 1870s and served an apprenticeship with a prominent local architect, George Rake, with whom he worked on the new goal in Kingston and St James' Hospital in Milton. Later he built a reputation of his own and was particularly respected by the Brickwood family who commissioned him to design numerous local pubs. He was also responsible for local shops, banks, churches, schools, cinemas, theatres and, in the early 1900s, the Carnegie Library in Fratton Road to which he gave his services for free. His style is very recognisable throughout the city.

A full set of his plans, giving huge and colourful detail, is available at the Portsmouth History Centre.

A Lively Lady

On 4 July 1968 Alec Rose, a green grocer, was cheered by hundreds of thousands in a triumphant reception on his return to Portsmouth Harbour. He had sailed his boat, the Lively Lady, single handedly round the world in a journey taking 354 days. The next day he was knighted by the Queen. He was 59.

Sea Bathing

'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'

A visitor Thomas Roscoe writing in 1830.

An ancient name for the Hill

The name of Portsdown Hill, a ridge running along the north of Portsmouth, originates from Portus Dun where Portus = Port and Dun = Hill. Locally it is just known as 'The Hill'.

Beatrix Potter and HMS Victory

'I think this ship was one of the most picturesque sights imaginable, particularly from close under the stairs - looking up at the queer little port-holes, and the end like a quaint carved old house...'

Beatrix Potter describing HMS Victory on a visit to Portsmouth in 1884

The Village

The district surrounding Palmerston Road including St Judes Church was known as The Village in 1851.

Getting on to an Island

Prior to 1927 the only road connection between Portsea Island and the mainland was an inconvenient and slow swing bridge over Portsbridge at Hilsea. This was improved to a permanent road but prompted by concern caused by the terrible blitz of early 1941 (getting help onto the Island and potentially evacuating everyone off), another route, the Eastern Road, was completed during World War II. The M275 subsequently opened in 1976 allowing access straight to the heart of Portsmouth. These three routes still remain the only road links off Portsea Island today.

Portsmouth Coat of Arms

Portsmouth’s Arms, comprising an azure shield bearing a gold star and crescent, has been used for 800 years. Its history is uncertain but thought to be based on those of Richard I, or his Lord Chancellor, William de Longchamp, who granted the Town's first charter in 1194. The motto "Heaven's Light Our Guide" which was registered in 1929, is that of the Order of the Star of India and of the old Indian troop ships which embarked their passengers at Portsmouth.

Further changes were made to the arms in 1970, when Portsmouth Museums Society sponsored the grant of crest, supporters and heraldic badge. This shows a sea lion and sea unicorn which are maritime version of the Royal Crest and Supporters - a rare privilege reflecting Portsmouth's long association with the Crown. The unicorn wears a naval crown and is wrapped a representation of "The Mighty Chain of Iron", the Tudor defensive boom across Portsmouth Harbour. The crown worn by the sea lion refers to the land defences which surrounded Portsmouth from Elizabethan times to the 1800s.

Victoria Park

Victoria Park was opened on 25 May 1878 on land newly released by the demolition of Portsea’s ramparts, moats and glacis (the gentle slope to the fortifications). It was known as the People’s Park with several rallies having been held in its grounds. The most striking feature however is the many monuments remembering various conflicts in which Portsmouth residents have played their part.

It was designated as a conservation area in 1973 and is registered as a historic park by English Heritage.

Several historic photos are available on the following link:
http://nowportsmouth.co.uk/galleries-and-articles-01/victoria-park-1.html

Portsmouth Block Mills

Established in 1802 by Marc Isambard Brunel, father of Isambard, the world's first mass production line was the Portsmouth Block Mills, which mass produced pulley blocks for rigging on the Royal Navy's ships. At its height Portsmouth Dockyard was the largest industrial site in the world.

To find out more visit the City Museum's No Place Like Pompey exhibition or visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portsmouth_Block_Mills

The Making of a City

In 1926 Portsmouth was granted city status following a long campaign by the borough council. The application was made on the grounds that Portsmouth was the "first naval port of the kingdom". Two years later the city received the further honour of a lord mayoralty.

Why Pompey?

One suggestion for the city's nickname Pompey is thought to have derived from shipping entering Portsmouth harbour making an entry in their logs as Pom. P. in reference to Portsmouth Point. Navigational charts use this abbreviation.

There are many other suggestions for the name.

The Dockyard Wall

The original Dockyard Wall was built between 1704 - 1711 from red brick. A large part of it still guards the Dockyard today and can be seen at the lower end of Queen Street. Other sections were engulfed by later extensions but can still be seen within the Yard.

The Foundation of Oceanography

The Challenger expedition, the scientific exercise credited with laying the foundation of oceanography, left from Portsmouth Harbour on 21 December 1872. The expedition was named after the mother vessel, HMS Challenger. She returned to Spithead on 24 May 1876 having spent 713 days at sea. One of its many acheivements was the discovery of 4,700 new species of marine life.

To find out more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Challenger_Expedition

Four House Green

It was here that Henry VII's great brewing houses for the burgeoning navy were situated. Henry built three with Elizabeth I adding another. They were located adjacent to St Nicholas Street where the adjoining meadow sourced springs of remarkably fresh water. Four House Green vanished when the Town's moat was constructed. However the water used as a fresh supply by older residents until the early 1900s and there remained breweries in St Nicholas Street until living memory.

Somerstown

Somerstown was developed during the 1820s, on land owned by Mr Somers, and was heavily bombed during World War II. After the war, the majority of what remained of the area was demolished to make way for social housing.

It is infamous for having one of the highest violent crime rates outside of London.

Zeppelin attack

In 1916 Portsmouth experienced its first aerial bombardment which came from a Zeppelin airship during the First World War.

A Cold War Mystery

In 1956, Lionel (Buster) Crabb, a World War II hero due to his work as an underwater clearance diver, was recruited by MI6 to investigate the Soviet cruiser Ordzhonikidze which was in Portsmouth on a diplomatic mission. In particular he was sent to investigate the Ordzhonikidze's propeller — a new design that Naval Intelligence wanted to find out more about. On 19 April Crabb dived into Portsmouth Harbour and was never seen again. MI6 tried to cover up the true nature of him mission. Crabb's companion in the Sally Port Hotel took all his belongings and even the page of the hotel register where they had written their names. Official documents at the National Archive have had the usual closure period of 30 years extended so they will not be available until 2057.

The next year, on 9 June 1957, a body in a frogman suit was found floating off Pilsey Island in the Harbour. It was missing its head and both hands, which made it impossible to identify (using then-available technology). Was this Buster?

There are many theories surrounding Buster’s disappearance and the incident has inspired films and stories including Ian Fleming for the James Bond adventure Thunderball.

For a fuller account:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Crabb

University of Portsmouth

This began as the Portsmouth and Gosport School of Science and the Arts in 1869 predominately to train the engineers and skilled workmen needed to work at both the city docks and the Naval dockyard. Following World War II, the college diversified its syllabus to attract new students and, in the 1960s, was given the power to award its own degrees being renamed Portsmouth Polytechnic.

In 1992, following a government higher education initiative, it was granted University status and has since been known as the University of Portsmouth. It retains however its original business focus having faculties of Business, Creative and Cultural Industries, Humanities and Social Sciences, Science and Technology.

Paulsgrove

Paulsgrove is believed to be named for St. Paul who, according to apocryphal legend, landed at the site at the start of his visit to Britain when it was part of the Roman empire. However a more likely explanation is revealed by certain old maps which show the area as PALS GRAVE, and is probably a reference to the last resting place of a (perhaps Saxon) local chief.

Taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paulsgrove