A Day Tour of Portsmouth Trivia Quiz

Answer: Die in a duel

Although married, Seton met Isabella Hawkey, the wife of Lieutenant Henry Hawkey, an officer of the Royal Marines, and became infatuated. As a result of an incident at a ball where Seton gave Isabella extra attention resulting in an altercation, Seton was challenged to a duel.

The duel took place, and first resulted in a mis-fire. Even though the duel could have been ended there and then, it continued, with a restart. This time Seton was wounded and although he had extensive medical treatment he died two weeks later, in June 1845.

Answer: The Solent

The Isle of Wight and Portsmouth is separated by The Solent. Portsmouth with its history of the sea has seen The Solent as a major shipping lane for passenger, freight and military vessels.

Answer: Britain and Australia

The sculpture by John Robinson represents the British and Australian friendship that started from the First Fleet sailing from Portsmouth. Sydney also has a "Bonds of Friendship" sculpture by the same artist.

Answer: Anglican

The Cathedral Church of St Thomas of Canterbury is its official name but most people call it the Portsmouth Cathedral.

Answer: Royal Garrison Church

The Bishop of Winchester founded the hospice in the early 1200s and continued until the unfortunate incident of a number of seamen who murdered a bishop in 1450. For over 50 years Portsmouth was excommunicated from the church. After many other colourful changes to its history the last major change happened when it was bombed in 1941.

Interestingly it has been left in that condition as a reminder of what happened.

Answer: Spinnaker Tower

The Spinnaker Tower is an observation tower in Portsmouth sponsored by Emirates. The redevelopment of Portsmouth Harbour was sponsored by a National Lottery grant. The shape of the building was submitted by HGP Architects and its aim is to reflect the sailing and maritime history of the city. A spinnaker is a type of sail that protrudes outward.

Answer: HMS Victory

Lord Nelson's flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar was the HMS Victory. HMS Victory is currently the world's oldest naval ship still in commission, with 242 years' service as of 2020. As a museum, the highlight of the Portsmouth Naval docklands, HMS Victory is a wonderful way to spend a few hours exploring. From the basic living quarters of the serviceman, to the Captain's quarters, the galley and mess areas, and the amazing array of knotted rope.

A great way to learn about history that is so hands on, something not to be missed.

Answer: Mary Rose

The photo is of a model of what the Mary Rose would have looked like. A warship of King Henry VIII, she served for 33 years in several wars against France, Scotland, and Brittany. In 1545 the Mary Rose was sunk in The Solent by the French, and was not found until 1971.

After an enormous amount of money to raise the Mary Rose it was successfully achieved in 1982. The Mary Rose museum is now found in the Portsmouth Docklands and I must say it is an intriguing display and a very moving one. Definitely worth the extra amount to see it.

Answer: Figurehead

The dictionary meaning of a figurehead is "a carving, typically a bust or a full-length figure, set at the prow of an old-fashioned sailing ship". At the Portsmouth Docklands there is a building decided to just that. Lots of different types, males and females, people and animals, some mythical.

Answer: HMS Warrior

After France succeeded in launching an ironclad warship in the 1850s, Britain released their ironclad ships, HMS Warrior and HMS Black Prince. Actually having a short lived career, Warrior toured Britain in 1863, spent time with the Channel Squadron, was placed in reserve in 1875, and was decommissioned in 1883.