Nelson's Column Trafalgar Square London

Nelson's Column is a victory monument completed between 1840 and 1843 in Trafalgar Square, London (AZ map). The 98 feet granite column rests on a granite base with an overall height of the monument of 170 feet. The statue of Nelson atop the column measures 18.1 feet and was sculpted from Craigleith sandstone.

The four bronze panels on the base were cast from captured French guns.

The statue honours Admiral Horatio Nelson who died in the Battle of Trafalgar aboard HMS Victory in 1805. Admiral Lord Nelson led the British Royal Navy in the defeat of the French and Spanish navies.

You might like this fun and informative guide to British words and phrases.

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Boathouse 4 Shipbuilding Historic Dockyard Portsmouth UK

Boathouse 4 allows visitors to see ship building and repair on a variety of boats.

There's a variety of wooden boats on display and interactive activities

Food is available at the Midships Cookhouse.

Boathouse 4 is close to the Visitor's Centre.

At the time of this post, there was no entry fee.

EXPLOSION The Museum of Navy Firepower Gosport UK

The museum located in Gosport takes visitors on a tour of naval weaponry housed within buildings dating to the 18th century.

I visited as part of a mulsti-attraction ticket to the Historic Dockyards in Portsmouth. The included waterbus service from the Dockyards adds to the experience, which affords pleasant views of Portsmouth Harbour.

Inside you will see a variety of weapons along with storyboards and audiovisual presentations. There are also interactive exhibits.

A variety of naval guns are outside the complex.





There is a cafe and outdoor tables for picnics. And places to view the harbour.

Learn more about the museum at their website  http://www.explosion.org.uk/

Royal Navy Submarine Museum Gosport UK

After visiting the star attraction, HMS Alliance, outside the submarine museum, it's worth having a look at the history of submarines inside the museum.








The exhibits and storyboards depict the progress made from small and simple underwater craft to modern stealth machines capable of quick, silent, moves far below the waves.





I visited as part of a multi-attraction ticket. A waterbus provides transportation between the museum and the main dockyard buildings.


See the website for more details. https://www.submarine-museum.co.uk/

HMS Alliance Portsmouth UK

HMS Alliance - Geoff W Sutton 2017

I toured the HMS Alliance at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Gosport. A tour of the submarine provides insight into nearly three decades of this aspect of defense from the end of WW II into the Cold War era. The Alliance was commissioned into service in 1947.

I was fortunate to have conversations with two retired submariners who served on the Alliance--one a cook, the other an electrician.

Our tour began by the forward torpedoes.

Forward torpedo area

and moved through dining and sleeping areas to the control room.

Breakfast

Before exiting, the guides explain the engine room, aft torpedoes, and method of escape from a submarine.

Submariner explains how to escape

Even a short tour can give many a sense of claustrophobia as one tourist felt the need to retreat after a few minutes. As fellow tourists impede movement its easy to get a sense that not all humans could likely adapt to this underwater environment beneath the waves with human and mechanical sounds and smells.

The Alliance and the nearby museum are worth a visit as part of the Historic Dockyards multi-attraction ticket.

HMS WARRIOR, Historic Dockyards Portsmouth Uk

HMS Warrior Geoff W. Sutton 2017

HMS Warrior 1860 is a restored mid-nineteenth century warship designed to compete with progress in the French fleet. It is the first Royal Navy ship with an iron hull and a symbol of pride in Queen Victoria's fleet.

The ship was powerered by both sail and steam.

The figurehead is modeled after the original.

Some lived in fine quarters.

The tour offers an in depth look at the components of a warship and a glimpse of life on board. The staff answer questions and add to the experience.

Her firepower was greater than any other ships of her era carrying both 25 68-pounders and 10 110-pounders. 

On her first sailing, the crew numbered about 700.

Laundry- Geoff W Sutton 2017

I  consider this a very good experience if you like ships and a bit of history.

There's some climbing.

It is family friendly.

It is a good value when combined with a multi-attraction ticket.