2-970-059 - /Heritage Images

The Grand Naval Review, at Spithead: Southsea Castle, towards Portsmouth, 1856. Ships of the Royal Navy taking part in a display off the coast of Hampshire. 'At no great distance off Southsea Castle lay the heavy forms of the floating batteries, rising and falling on the swell like whales...'. Southsea Castle, (also known as Chaderton Castle, South Castle and Portsea Castle) is an artillery fort constructed by Henry VIII on Portsea Island in 1544. It formed part of the King's Device programme to protect against invasion from France and the Holy Roman Empire, and defended the Solent and the eastern approach to Portsmouth. From "Illustrated London News", 1856.