2-970-111 - /Heritage Images

The Naval Review: Promenade on Southsea Common - sketched by S. Read, 1856. Crowds flock to the Hampshire coast to watch a display by the Royal Navy. 'From a very early hour and up to mid-day thousands of excursionists were seen issuing from the various railway termini, and wending their way in one continued stream towards the shore, to secure a good position to witness the sight. Southsea Common was literally teeming with human beings. From the ramparts, and along the esplanade to a considerable distance beyond Southsea Castle, there was one dense living mass'. From "Illustrated London News", 1856.