As a strategically vital access route to southern England and as the anchorage for Portsmouth, Britain’s premier naval base, the waters of Spithead reflect much of the UK’s naval history. They have seen piracy and battles, countless departing and returning fleets, royal visits and naval reviews, courts martial and the ‘Spithead Breeze’ mutiny of 1797. Originally published in 1972, this book draws together the many and varied strands of history that have given Spithead its significance.