Port Solent is the country’s third largest marina, formed on reclaimed land and opened by Sir Alec Rose, whose Lively Lady was the first vessel to enter the new complex. He was the Portsmouth greengrocer who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1968, after he sailed into Portsmouth Harbour having completed a 354-day, 28,500-mile, solo trip around the globe. Sir Alec, who was also given the freedom of Portsmouth, died in 1991, at 82.
A print and text about the Floating Bridge.
The text reads: The first ferry across Portsmouth Harbour was introduced in 1834. It was soon replaced by the Floating Bridge, which was pulled across the harbour by chains. In its first six months, the Floating Bridge carried 20,000 passengers; 13,965 carriages; 3,964 horses, and 1,763 cattle. The Floating Bridge continued to operate until 1959.
A print and text about HMS Trafalgar and HMS Euphrates.
The text reads: The battleship HMS Trafalgar was launched at Portsmouth Dockyard, in 1890. Modernised in 1905, she was finally scrapped in April 1911. HMS Euphrates was built in 1866, and operated by the Royal Navy to transport troops and their families from Portsmouth to Bombay (Mumbai). She remained in service until 1894.
A print and text about The Hard.
The text reads: Once part of the walled town of Portsea, The Hard is where young boys, or ‘mudlarks’ , searched for loose charge dropped by naval officers and other visitors. HMS Warrior, the world’s first iron-plated battleship, is moored here. The Hard is also the terminus for trains, coaches, buses and ferries, making it ‘Britain’s most impressive interchange for public transport’.
A print and text about Portchester Castle.
The text reads: Occupying a commanding position at the head of Portsmouth Harbour, Portchester Castle is the best preserved of the Roman forts along the south east coast. The fortress later housed a Saxon settlement and in the 12th century became a Norman Castle.
A print and text about Rear Admiral Sir Frederick Bedford.
The text reads: Admiral Bedford was probably best known as Governor of Western Australia (1903-1909), where a suburb bears his name. Bedford also held the rank of Second Sea Lord, one of the most senior admirals of the Royal Navy. The post (now combined with that of Commander-in-Chief) is based in Portsmouth.
External photograph of the building – main entrance.
Extract from Wetherspoon News Summer 2019.
If you have information on the history of this pub, then we’d like you to share it with us. Please e-mail all information to: pubhistories@jdwetherspoon.co.uk