Portsmouth, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

Homecoming

Photographed by Michael Herrick, July 31, 2018

1. Homecoming Marker

Inscription.
On June 16th 1987, 58 years after leaving Portsmouth a forlorn hulk, Warrior made her triumphant return - a magnificent warship once more. As she came slowly towards the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour an armada of small boats greeted her, guns fired, klaxons sounded, crowds cheered, fireworks exploded and thousands of red, white and blue balloons filled the air. It could have been when, as the pride of the fleet, she had first stirred the country's imagination.

After an hour of careful manoeuvring, she entered her berth. At 5:45pm the tow rope was dropped and Warrior was home to stay – taking her place as an iconic landmark within Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

There were mixed emotions in Hartlepool as the town bid farewell to the ship that had spent seven years in its care.

On Friday 12th June 1987, Warrior was pulled by tugs from her moorings to begin the four day journey back to Portsmouth. Tankers, ferries and trawlers turned out all along the east coast to salute her. In the English Channel, she had a memorable encounter with HMS London, the Royal Navy's newest vessel. London signalled the message

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“The Navy's newest ironclad is in company with the oldest … I hope look as good as you at your age”

( photo captions )
Preparing to leave Hartlepool
Leaving Hartlepool
Homward bound
Entering Portsmouth Harbour

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 50° 47.9′ N, 1° 6.563′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, England. It can be reached from the intersection of Queen Street and Wickham Street, on the left when traveling north. Located on the HMS Warrior pier in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Portsmouth, England PO1 3QX, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in England’s Hampshire Ports.

Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

in Europe,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Labour of Love

Photographed by Michael Herrick, July 30, 2018

2. HMS Warrior

(a few steps from this marker); RAF – HSL 102 (within shouting distance of this marker); A Sad and Lonely Journey (within shouting distance of this marker); Left behind by progress (within shouting distance of this marker); The First Black Battleship (within shouting distance of this marker); Warrior – the ultimate deterrent (within shouting distance of this marker); The Figurehead (within shouting distance of this marker); Beware of the Wolf (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portsmouth.

Also see . . .
1. HMS Warrior. (Submitted on September 7, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. HMS Warrior (1860) on Wikipedia. (Submitted on September 7, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 184 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 7, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.