December 2015 - Gosport Heritage Open Days

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The Diving Museum in 2015

Click to see a montage of the Diving Museum in 2015
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29 December

Today in Gosport’s Past:-on 29 December 1860, a now-familiar sight from Gosport, HMS “Warrior” (now named “HMS Warrior 1860”) was launched in Blackwall, London. “Warrior” was the first of two sister ships (the other being HMS “Black Prince, launched on 27 February 1861 in Govan, …
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HMS FISGARD (Gosport 1904-1932)

Pour yourself a very BIG drink, and get comfortable – this is VERY long….. Although the following essay is primarily concerned with the shore establishment HMS Fisgard at Hardway 1904-1932, the story actually begins some considerable time before, and elsewhere. The ‘Leda’ class 46-gun fifth …
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27 April

Today in Gosport’s Past:- on 27 April 1951, Naval Armaments Vessel (NAV) “Bedenham”, having arrived at Gibraltar on 24 April from Devonport (Plymouth), exploded in Gibraltar harbour whilst unloading munitions, caused by a small fire on board the lighter alongside. Thirteen were killed, and many …
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28 April

Today in Gosport’s Past:- on 28 April 1923, the War Memorial Hospital at Bury Cross was officially opened. The east wing was added later, and the Canon Landon Memorial Clock later still. The foundation stone of the hospital had been laid by Earl Haig. Credits …
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21 July

Today in Gosport’s Past:- on 21st July 1982, aircraft carrier HMS “Hermes” and the frigate HMS “Broadsword” returned to Portsmouth after serving in the South Atlantic Falklands War. Looking more than a little world-weary, they recieved a well deserved heroes’ welcome from vast crowds on …
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22 July

Today in Gosport’s Past:- on 22nd July 1982, another part of the Falklands Task Force returned; this time it was RFA “Tidespring”. The battered tanker was escorted into the harbour by Admiralty tugs with their customary waterjet display. The ship was cheered by crowds on …
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2 August

Today in Gosport’s Past:- it’s all about music, on 2 August 1992, folk legends Fairport Convention, having topped the bill at the Gosport Festival at Walpole Park the previous night (1 August), played under a small open-sided marquee in the garden of the Alverbank during …
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Gosport’s Railway Origins: All gong and no dinner.?

The story of Gosport always seems, one way or another, to have involved what I’d call ‘unfulfilled promise’ – a legacy that shows no sign of going away even now. Think it through – by 1753 we’d already got Haslar Hospital, Priddy’s Hard Magazine was …
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28 February

Today in Gosport’s Past:- on 28 February 1978, HMS “Alliance” was transferred, on permanent loan to the Royal Navy Submarine Museum. The submarine was ordered in October 1943 as part of the emergency war programme; builders were Vickers Armstrong of Barrow-in-Furness, and she was laid …
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