One of our students; Radim recently went to visit the Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Gosport. This is his account of the trip:
With my teacher Michael B, I visited the Royal Navy Submarine Museum
in Gosport. We took the Gosport ferry across
the harbour [from next to Portsmouth
harbour rail station at The Hard.] We chose to take a taxi to the museum to
save time. [It takes about 15-20 minutes to walk there]
in Gosport. We took the Gosport ferry across
the harbour [from next to Portsmouth
harbour rail station at The Hard.] We chose to take a taxi to the museum to
save time. [It takes about 15-20 minutes to walk there]
The museum itself has many buildings, so we started at the
Weapons Gallery. We saw many torpedoes and missiles. Some torpedoes are over 100
years old!
Weapons Gallery. We saw many torpedoes and missiles. Some torpedoes are over 100
years old!
Then we walked to the information and shop (the main
entrance & ticket office). We first saw a 4-man mini/midget submarine from
WW2 [HMS 24X]. It looked too small for 4 people! Very interesting to see how
sailors could live in so little a space!
entrance & ticket office). We first saw a 4-man mini/midget submarine from
WW2 [HMS 24X]. It looked too small for 4 people! Very interesting to see how
sailors could live in so little a space!
We saw the oldest submarine – a wooden replica from USA –
the Turtle, built in 1775. Very surprising to see a small one-person submarine!
the Turtle, built in 1775. Very surprising to see a small one-person submarine!
In this main building there were many interesting things. My
teacher loved the periscopes and we ‘played’ who can first find LSI/IH Portsmouth building.
We saw many things and displays from the American, German, Soviet and British
(of course!) submarines. I liked finding out how sailors lived inside – the
small beds, the small personal space.
teacher loved the periscopes and we ‘played’ who can first find LSI/IH Portsmouth building.
We saw many things and displays from the American, German, Soviet and British
(of course!) submarines. I liked finding out how sailors lived inside – the
small beds, the small personal space.
It was fascinating to see the old submarine made from plate
metal ( Holland 1 from 1901). It was exciting to go inside and see the
machinery – the engines, the torpedo tubes – and to touch the metal. I was
almost back in time!
metal ( Holland 1 from 1901). It was exciting to go inside and see the
machinery – the engines, the torpedo tubes – and to touch the metal. I was
almost back in time!
Unfortunately we had no time to visit the big submarine (HMS
Alliance) from 1945 that is outside in a dry dock. We had no time as you needed
to be part of a guided tour that took 45 minutes. It would be good to go back
just for this.
Alliance) from 1945 that is outside in a dry dock. We had no time as you needed
to be part of a guided tour that took 45 minutes. It would be good to go back
just for this.
We walked back along the waterfront with the marina and all
the sailing boats – big, small, some looked very expensive.
the sailing boats – big, small, some looked very expensive.
We saw the Time space sundial – a big concrete sun clock; and
information about the history of Gosport.
information about the history of Gosport.
It was very interesting to stand on the Millennium Pier out
into the harbour and see Portsmouth
from this angle – completely different, almost completely unrecognisable!
into the harbour and see Portsmouth
from this angle – completely different, almost completely unrecognisable!
What I enjoyed the most: going inside Holland 1 the old metal submarine from 1901.
Radim
Sevcik
Sevcik
Czech
How to get there
Ferry from Portsea – pontoon next to Portsmouth Harbour
Station.
Station.
The Gosport ferry (green
ferry) costs £2.90 for a return ticket.
ferry) costs £2.90 for a return ticket.
Either take a taxi to Haslar Road/submarine museum
Or walk along seafront pas
Haslar Marina, over the bridge to Haslar and the Museum.
Price : £12.50 adult; £9 with a student card.
Need a good 3 hours to see everything!
