HMS M33 - Battle Ship, Portsmouth

HMS M33 is a remarkable slice of naval history鈥攊n fact, it鈥檚 one of only three surviving Royal Navy warships from World War I and the only Allied ship that took part in the Gallipoli Campaign still preserved today. Built in just a few months in 1915, this 580-ton monitor was designed for coastal bombardment, able to navigate shallow waters and bring its two 6-inch guns to bear close to enemy shores.

It earned a reputation as the 鈥淟ucky Ship鈥�, returning unscathed from the Dardanelles and seeing action again in the Russian Civil War. Now on display at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard in a dry dock beside HMS Victory, HMS M33 has been conscientiously restored to its World War I configuration, complete with its iconic dazzle camouflage.

Visitors can explore the cramped decks, officer cabins, galley, mess, and even descend into the lower magazines to see original stores and untouched internal spaces. Audio-visual exhibits and immersive displays bring the ship鈥檚 storied past vividly to life.

Aboard HMS M33 you鈥檒l step into the shoes of the 72 officers and men who served in its tight confines鈥攎any of whom came from varied civilian backgrounds like clerks, laborers, or butchers. Learn how the vessel supported landings at Suvla Bay, served in the Mediterranean and the Aegean, and later supported Allied forces on the River Dvina in northern Russia. Despite facing enemy fire multiple times, the ship remarkably suffered zero casualties鈥攗nderscoring its legendary status.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Portsmouth. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: HMS M33 - Battle Ship
Sight Location: Portsmouth, England (See walking tours in Portsmouth)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Historical Dockyard Tour

Walking Tours in Portsmouth, England

Create Your Own Walk in Portsmouth

Creating your own self-guided walk in Portsmouth is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Famous English Writers Walking Tour

Jane Austen was born in 1775 in Steventon, North Hampshire. In her day, Portsmouth was a rough-edged seaport filled with people she considered "underbred." Nevertheless, she often traveled to Portsmouth to visit her brothers Francis and Charles, stationed there with the Royal Navy. Austen included Royal Naval characters in her novels, Persuasion and Mansfield Park.

Charles Dickens was... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles

Historical Dockyard Tour

The naval theme has always been dominant for Portsmouth. Most of the city's historic events are in one way or another associated with its seaside location. Portsmouth's Historical Dockyard is the area that offers a glimpse into the city's maritime past.

The very first notable landmark here is Victory Gate, the dockyard's main entrance. Inside, visitors will find HMS... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.4 Km or 0.2 Miles

Portsmouth Introduction Walking Tour

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle claims a warrior named Port and his two sons killed a noble Briton in Portsmouth in 501 AD. Winston Churchill, in his "A History of the English-Speaking Peoples," wrote that Port was a pirate who founded Portsmouth in the same year.

King AEthelwulf sent a force to drive off Viking raiders in Portsmouth in the 9th century. The Danes loved Portsmouth, but they... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles

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