Whale Island, Hampshire

Location map|Hampshire
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lat = 50.82
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caption = Whale Island shown within Hampshire
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Whale Island is a small island in Portsmouth Harbour, close by Portsea Island. It is currently home to HMS "Excellent", the oldest shore training establishment within the Royal Navy, and the Headquarters of Commander in Chief, Fleet.

Early History

Ordnance Survey maps of Portsmouth Harbour from 1862 show Whale Island as a narrow strip, its east to west dimensions were similar to present times, but north to south it measured only tens of yards. To its northwest was Little Whale Island.Maps, documents and photographs on display in the Quarterdeck building, HMS Excellent.]

Expansion

In 1867 a viaduct was constructed from the north wall of the dockyard to the south-east corner [ [http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=http://boakes.org/geo/pts/Whale%2520Island%2520Viaduct.kmz&ie=UTF8&z=16&t=h&om=1 Map] showing the route of the viaduct.] of Big Whale Island which allowed spoil to be moved from dredging the docks (part of the expansion of HMNB Portsmouth), reclaiming the land between Big Whale Island and Little Whale Island, forming the basis of the island as it is today.

The railway which ran on the viaduct was extended around the island to help with the distribution of the spoil and much of the track is still present today, buried under the roads. Manual construction work was mostly undertaken by convicts; a favourable assignment because of the extra food.

By 1885 the island was home to five rifle ranges, but three of these were soon decommissioned to make room for the Gun Drill Battery and Drill Ground (today this is the Summer Parade Ground).

Photos on display in Whale Island Quarterdeck (constructed 1888) show that a footbridge to Stamshaw, Portsea Island, was added sometime before 1898 (incorporating a swing-bridge). A small road-bridge now joins the islands at the same point.

Before World War II Whale Island was home to a Zoo which gave a home to several animals presented to British representatives by friendly countries.

Ceremony

The gun carriage that carries the coffin in British state funerals is maintained on Whale Island.

Visiting

HMS "Excellent" is an active Naval base so it is not open to the general public, however, there are occasional open days [ [http://www.navynews.co.uk/articles/2000/0009/0000091101.asp# HMS Excellent Opened to the Public, Navy News] ] and prospective visitors are advised to contact the base.

References