Cybercaptain: Portsmouth

Sunday, February 22, 2026

Portsmouth

Portsmouth, view to Gosport

Was visiting this weekend Portsmouth with guests and we tied up around 10.00hrs on Saturday having left in the morning from Southampton. The weather was fine as in no excessive wind or waves, bit of fog but visibility still sufficient. The pilot was on time off the Sturbridge buoy and we passed almost over the Mary Rose's resting place where she sank years ago.

Spinnaker tower

The approach went well, had to slow down fast as the Gunwhard Quays marina is immediately to the right side after entering in to the port area. Engine stopped we glided towards some floating pontoons normally used by the fast speed ferries and as I was about a ships length off I crossed my engines and started a starboard swing. The slack tide was just right as seemingly could not feel or see us drifting off to any direction, so I reversed towards the spinnaker tower and my Mate on the aft deck was counting off the meters.

Stern of HMS Warrior

The tower comes out a bit so the corner of the pontoon becomes a bit tight at the end, again I had to push the stern faster inwards towards the pontoon in order to prevent any bumps on our starboard quarter. We came well alongside, no bumps and actually had to move a bit forward to be able to connect electricity, which actually failed as the power they had to give (125amps) was insufficient. Bit weird as we use a similarly specified connection in Southampton. As it was only one night we kept us on the genset instead.

Pontoon A of Gunwharf Quays marina

After we had tied us up I had time to look around, soon I saw the stern of the HMS Warrior poking out from her berth and the aft masts. Also the spinnaker tower was towering over us and the pontoon ramp led almost straight into the mall which is full of branded factory outlets. I did not go in there but our passengers did, I waited for them to leave and I also decided to take the opportunity to stretch my legs.

Gunwharf Quays art

I had visited the Naval Dockyard museum back in 2016 when I was doing a short refit period in Southampton on Lady S before the winter season in the Caribbean so I thought I'd rather take a walk around town. Eventually I just walked past the Gunwhard Quays shopping outlets to the Cascades mall. I walked around there outside a bit before heading back towards the Nelson's statue, all the while taking pics here and there, which you can see below.

Figurehead of HMS Marlborough

Figurehead of HMS Vernon

More Gunwharf Quays art

Gunwharf Quays art, for the minesweepers

Gunwharf quays

Portsmouth architecture, Park building

Portsmouth architecture, St John's cathedral

Portsmouth architecture, Unicorn/ Edinburgh road

Commercial road fountain

Portsmouth guildhall

Statue of HM Queen Victoria

Brunel's pub, Wetherspoons today

Another pub, Brewhouse & Kitchen

Portsmouth architecture, Charter house

Portsmouth cathedral

Nelson's prayer

Admiral Horatio Nelson's statue

Having visited the Naval dockyards I only came to realize that Admiral Nelson was the superstar of his era seeing the paraphernalia that had been collected there. Tea sets, mugs, paintings, posters, pins, etc . etc. Looking in Wikipedia it offers a long CV on his braveries so I am not at all surprised why he was revered as a hero in his time although he only lived to be 47 years of age, he achieved a lot.

"Nelson rose rapidly through the ranks and served with leading naval commanders of the period before obtaining his own command at the age of 20 in 1778. He developed a reputation for personal valour and a firm grasp of tactics, but suffered periods of illness and unemployment after the end of the American War of Independence. The outbreak of the French Revolutionary Wars allowed Nelson to return to service, where he was particularly active in the Mediterranean Sea. He fought in several minor engagements off Toulon and was important in the capture of Corsica, where he was wounded and partially lost sight in one eye, and subsequently performed diplomatic duties with the Italian states. In 1797, he distinguished himself while commanding HMS Captain at the Battle of Cape St Vincent. Shortly after this battle, Nelson took part in the Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, where the attack failed and he lost his right arm, forcing him to return to England to recuperate. The following year he won a decisive victory over the French at the Battle of the Nile and remained in the Mediterranean to support the Kingdom of Naples against a French invasion.

In 1801, Nelson was dispatched to the Baltic Sea and defeated neutral Denmark at the Battle of Copenhagen. He commanded the blockade of the French and Spanish fleets at Toulon and, after their escape, chased them to the West Indies and back but failed to bring them to battle. After a brief return to England, he took over the Cádiz blockade in 1805. On 21 October 1805, the Franco-Spanish fleet came out of port, and Nelson's fleet engaged them at the Battle of Trafalgar. The battle became Britain's greatest naval victory, but Nelson, aboard HMS Victory, was fatally wounded by a French marksman. His body was brought back to England, where he was accorded a state funeral, and considered a hero.

Nelson's death at Trafalgar secured his position as one of Britain's most heroic figures. His signal just prior to the commencement of the battle, "England expects that every man will do his duty", is regularly quoted and paraphrased. Numerous monuments, including Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square, London, and the Nelson Monument in Edinburgh, have been created in his memory. In 2002, Nelson was named among the 100 Greatest Britons of all time."

Nelson

Spitbank Fort off Portsmouth, visibility is not the best

The fort is one of four that were built in 1859 on a Royal Commission as a French deterrent to protect Portsmouth. Wikipedia offer some history too but the current owning entity Fortify Solent has a short and compact version of the timeline, as per below:

"1859-1878 - Construction begins following the Royal Commission report. Built on a sandbank using innovative engineering techniques, including sinking iron cylinders to create foundations.

1880s-1890s - Fort becomes fully operational with a garrison of up to 150 soldiers and officers, armed with powerful rifled muzzle-loading guns.

1898 - Armament upgraded with modern breech-loading guns as naval warfare technology advances.

World Wars - Serves as an active anti-aircraft defense position during both World Wars, protecting Portsmouth from aerial attack.

1956 - Military decommissioning as coastal artillery becomes obsolete in the nuclear age.

1960s-1980s - Various private owners attempt different ventures, including use as a museum and events space.

Here is the Sandspit Fort on Sunday when we departed

1982 - Listed as a Scheduled Ancient Monument, recognizing its historical importance.

2000s - Undergoes initial restoration work while changing hands between private investors.

2009-2012 - Extensive multi-million pound renovation transforms the fort into a luxury hotel, carefully preserving its historic features while adding modern amenities.

2012-2024 - Operates as an exclusive private island venue, offering luxury accommodation, dining, and event hosting.

2024-Present - The fort enters an exciting new phase in its remarkable history. While its next chapter remains to be unveiled, Spitbank Fort continues to stand as one of the Solent's most iconic maritime landmarks, ready to write the next pages in its extraordinary story."

BBC reported of the injunction issued in order to keep unwanted explorers away. Many of the various urban explorers videos are still up on YouTube. The Fort is today closed to the public but it seems it could be opened for any special events upon query.