PORTSMOUTH, pOrts'miith. A seaport and the chief naval arsenal of Great Britain, situated in Hampshire, on the southwest shore of Portsea 74 miles southwest of London (Map: England. E 61. Portsmouth has the most complete fortifications in Britain. These com prise, on the landward side, the outer line of the Portsdowu forts and the Hilsea lines; to seaward, the Spithead forts.
Southsea, which is situated outside the walls skirting Southsea Common, is rapidly increasing, and is a fashionable watering-place. Pleasing views may be had, from the ramparts and bat teries, of the harbor. the roadstead of Spithead, and the Isle of Wight. The town itself is unin teresting: among the few notable buildings is the Church of Saint Thomas, the chancel and transepts of which date from the twelfth century. Be-ides the parish, the municipal and Parlia mentary limits include Portsea. Landport, and Southsea. The town of Gosport (q.v.) is sepa rated from Portsmouth by the harbor entrance. Portsmouth harbor, about 420 yards wide at its entrance, extends inland for about four miles and has a breadth of three miles along its northern shore. The outward entrance is defended by _Moulton Fort and Southsea Castle. The harbor is situated close to the magnificent anchorage of Spithead. where 1000 ships of the line may ride without inconvenience, under shelter of the Isle of Wight, and opposite the French arsenal of Cherbourg. The dockyard has an area of 293
acres. of this immense naval establishment, the most noteworthy features are the dry docks, spa cious enough to admit the largest vessels.
The local trade of Portsmouth is supported mainly by the Government dockyard and other public establishments:. Brewing is carried on, and there is considerable traffic in timber. coal, cattle, and agricultural produce. The importance of the port dates from the reign of King Henry VIII. Its defenses were strengthened by Eliza beth and by William III. The municipality holds various charters, the first granted by Richard I. Its principal asset is its docks. It owns an elec tric lighting plant. and tramways. and maintains public baths, cemeteries, libraries. and a technical school. Porchester Castle. a ruined Norman fortress to the north of the harbor. occupies the site of the Roman Portus Magnus. The town was burned by the French in 1372. In 1642 it was taken by the Parliamentarians. In 1782 the Royal George sank in the harbor with a loss of nearly 1000 lives. Portsmouth is the birthplace of Charles Dickens and George Meredith. Popu lation. in 1391. 159.000: in 1901, 189.000. Con sult Saunders, Annals of Portsmouth (London. 1SSO).