Whale Island, Hampshire

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.

[1] 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.

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

HMS Excellent is an active naval base so it is not open to the general public, but there are occasional open days[4] and prospective visitors are advised to contact the base.