HMS Warrior - Stepping Into the Ironclad Age (Portsmouth: Part 3)

As part of our Portsmouth 2025 adventure, the Leicester Navy Cadets stepped aboard the awe-inspiring HMS Warrior – Britain’s first iron-hulled warship and one of the most powerful naval vessels of the Victorian era. Launched in 1860, Warrior revolutionised naval engineering with her combination of sails, steam power, iron armour, and heavy guns, making her the pride of Queen Victoria’s Navy. 🔱

Today, HMS Warrior stands tall in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, offering an immersive experience of life at sea during the 19th century — and our cadets absolutely loved it.

🗣️ One of the most memorable parts of the visit was the live-action interpreters stationed around the ship. From the blacksmith to the ship's master-at-arms, these passionate actors brought history to life through vivid storytelling, demonstrations, and engaging Q&A sessions that made every deck feel alive. 🎭⚙️

💬 “The live actors were brilliant – they made it feel like the ship was still in service. We learned so much about what life was like for Victorian sailors,” said one cadet.

To add to the experience, cadets took part in the Warrior stamp trail, collecting a stamp on each deck of the ship. Not only was this a fun and interactive way to explore the vessel, but it also helped cadets take in key information from every corner — from the gun decks to the captain’s cabin. 📖🔍

Key Highlights from the HMS Warrior Visit:

✅ Exploring the armour-plated gun decks

✅ Learning about steam-powered propulsion and hybrid naval design

✅ Interacting with professional re-enactors

✅ Collecting stamps across every deck of the ship

✅ Gaining insight into 19th-century naval warfare and daily sailor life

Experiences like this go far beyond the classroom. They build naval knowledge, spark curiosity, and reinforce our core cadet values: Discipline, Respect, Pride, and Service.

📍 HMS Warrior | Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

📆 Summer 2025 Round-Up Visit

👥 Leicester Navy Cadets, Volunteers & Staff

Stay tuned — more photos and stories from our Portsmouth trip are coming soon!

🌐 Explore more on our blog: www.navycadets.co.uk/blog

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