Solent Seabirds

During the crossing can you identify any of these seabirds shown here.

Great Black Backed Gull Black Headed Gull Cormorant Herring Gull

PORTSMOUTH

Portsmouth has been an important naval base since the Norman Conquest due to its large natural harbour. Henry VII started the dockyard and built the first dry dock in 1494, very close to where the Victory now lies. Henry VIII also did much to promote the naval importance of Portsmouth. Over the centuries, the city and surroundings (including the Isle of Wight) have been heavily fortified, even out into the Solent, in the form of the Sea Forts.

OTHER VESSELS YOU MAY SEE ON THE CROSSING

You will probably see many other craft using the Solent during the crossing. Try to identify some of them using the information given here. The "FastCat" Catamarans cross the Solent in approximately 15 minutes, and are twin-hulled, lightweight, high-speed vessels capable of speeds up to 32 knots. Each hull has its own engine and propulsion system, and the accommodation and bridge are set on the top. Hovercraft ride of a cushion of air, which is contained by a black rubber "skirt". These are fully amphibious and so are able to cross Ryde Sands at low tide, for example. Two ducted propellers drive this type of hovercraft, and four pairs of fans supply the lift. Portsmouth is also served by some very large car ferries running across the English Channel to the Continent. Other vessels you may spot include oil tankers, container ships, cruise liners, warships and sailing boats.

HMS WARRIOR HMS

Warrior can be seen flying the Red Ensign in Portsmouth Harbour adjacent to the Victory. She was launched in 1860 and was the first warship with a hull protected by thick iron plates, and was powered by sail and steam. Without ever having fired a shot in anger, her "combat" career ended in 1883, and she eventually came back to Portsmouth in 1987, having undergone several years' restoration. She now lies in a specially constructed berth and is open to the public.

THE SEA FORTS

Spit Sand Fort, No Man's Land Fort and Horse Sand Fort were built in the 1880s as a defence against a threatened invasion from the French, which never came. During the World Wars they were equipped with guns, formed part of an anti-submarine defence, and were attacked during the blitz. Now Spit Sand Fort is a private museum, No Man's Land Fort is a private residence with swimming pool and heli-pad, and Horse Sand Fort belongs to the MoD.

THE MARY ROSE

A single yellow buoy marks the site of the wreck of Henry VIII's Tudor warship the "Mary Rose" - see the map for its location. In 1545, on her way to fight the French, she capsized and sank with the loss of nearly all her crew. Over 400 years later, in 1982, she was raised from the seabed by the Mary Rose Trust. Great care has been taken to preserve her and the objects found on board, and all of which are now exhibited in a museum in Portsmouth Dockyard.

HMS VICTORY

Her three masts and St George's cross flag can be seen just beyond HMS Warrior. Victory was launched in 1765, and is famous for being Lord Nelson's flagship during the battle of Trafalgar against the French and Spanish in 1805. She is the oldest surviving commissioned ship in the world and is the flagship of the Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command with officers and men of the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines still serving on board. White Ensign. Flown by all serving Royal Naval Ships and some shore establishments. The pilot flag shows the captain has a pilot's licence for the Solent area. It is also the national flag of Poland.