PORTSMOUTH ROYAL DOCKYARD HISTORICAL TRUST

Main Gate

1895

Main Gate

1900s

Main Gate

About1910

Main Gate

Prior to widening during World War 2

Main Gate

Victory celebrations 1919

Main Gate

About 1960

Main Gate

December 1971

Victory Gate Today

Renamed when the Unicorn Gate became the Main Gate

Overview

In 1995, Portsmouth celebrated the 500th anniversary of the founding of one of the oldest and greatest Dockyards in the world. Founded by King Henry VII, the Dockyard was expanded and developed so that by the middle of the 18th century it had become one of the largest and most capable industrial organisation in the world. During the early 19th century Portsmouth Dockyard was a major centre for development of revolutionary industrial processes and mass production techniques. Massive civil engineering projects later added new ship basins and dry docks large enough for the world’s largest navy and most powerful battleships.


During the early years of the 20th century, more battleships were built at Portsmouth than at any other shipyard in Great Britain. The Dockyard played a key role in supporting the Royal Navy during the Great and Second World Wars and during subsequent conflicts.

At its peak more than 22,000 men and women worked in the Dockyard and the working lives of ‘Dockies'are a significant element of our national history.

The purposes of this site are:

• To publicise the existence and purposes of the Portsmouth Royal Dockyard Historical Trust (PRDHT);

• To make available information about the Dockyard:

• To strengthen links between the Trust and members of the public through the dissemination of information regarding its objects, current activities and plans.

You can search for any word or date mentioned in the site by using this box:

To contact us:

Phone: 023-92820921
Fax: 023-92862437
Email: info@portsmouthdockyard.org.uk

19 College Road
HM Naval Base
Portsmouth
Hampshire
PO1 3LJ