There are reports that crew members who did not want to make the voyage sabotaged her. The National Oceanography Centre opened south of the vacated area in 1996. "Guide to the Cope Collection and the Local History subject guide". The hovercraft were gone by 1982, made redundant by the arrival of Shearwater 6.[35]. Southampton's archaeology museum was built into the city wall on the south shore in 1417 as a military fortification. A Spitfire and a Supermarine S.6A are also on exhibit at Solent Sky. The dock was moved to Portsmouth during the Second World War, and in 1959 it was sold to Rotterdam. There is evidence of settlement in the area now known as Southampton as far back as the Stone Age, but no evidence of boating or port activity. The port also played a role in the development of hovercraft, flying boat services, seaplanes and the Spitfir From there it went west towards Salisbury, and terminated at Alderbury Common. Before the advent of jet travel, Southampton was Britain's gateway to the world. The Mediaeval Merchant's House, in French Street, was built in 1290 as the home and business of wine merchant John Fortin. Download a PDF of our prospectus or order a printed copy to be delivered to your door. [27] It has been heavily involved in most of the wars Britain has fought. Historic and fun walking tours of the city. Had a little hole cut for his little cat, too. These included an interior finished in blond burr woods, waiting rooms, baggage areas, spectator galleries, press rooms for journalists and three power-operated, telescoping gangways. During the peak years from 1973 to 1975 there was approximately 54 crossings a week to France, Morocco, Portugal and Spain from the Princess Alexandra Dock ferry terminals where there were four roll-on/roll-off berths three with a linkspan at berths 2, 3 and 7, berth 1 had a cut in the quay rather than a linkspan which is still visible today, with growth forecasted a further linkspan was added in 1977 at berth 30.[31]. Another large dock was constructed, opening in 1911 and completing the 170-acre (69 ha) Eastern Docks system. In 1950 BOAC ceased its flying-boat operations, but Aquila Airways continued service until 1958. Southampton was also the home of some of the first flying boats, and it is thought that the term ‘air port’ was first used in reference to Southampton in this role. They were Cirrus 120P surface effect ships, built in Norway by Brødrene Aa Båtbyggeri, carrying up to 330 passengers at a speed of 50 knots. A year later the major British shipping company P&O along with the French owned S.A.G.A. A truly global perspective through space and time. It divided after emerging: one branch went south to the shore near the God's House Tower (a gaol at the time) and the other ran northeast to the coal depots of the Itchen near the Northam bridge, providing a link to Itchen navigation. [38] It used the Andover canal for nine miles (14 km) from Redbridge to a new junction between Kimbridge and Mottisfont. But soon this defect their sage noddles supply'd, The port also played a minor role in the history of Britain's canals. A smaller backup craft, the Wight Prince, was also leased: a Dutch-built Seaswift 23 with a capacity of 99 passengers at 36 knots. The "New Docks" opened in 1934; this was actually a single quay 7,542 ft (2.299 km) along with 400 acres of associated reclaimed land. The Bargate in the centre of the High Street was built as the main entrance to the medieval walled town circa 1180 AD. There was later additional service to destinations including Australia, Tokyo, Karachi, Singapore and Hong Kong. This quay, dating from 1411 on the site now occupied by Town Quay, was the centre of the town's port activities. 10 places to visit to find out more about Southampton’s past. [24][25], In 1937 aircraft were maintained at the Hythe flying-boat base; the terminal was at Berth 101, in the western docks. [1] They operated a busy port, serving the large towns of Winchester and Salisbury.