Diving Museum

The Diving Museum is currently closed for improvement works that started in November 2023. The work will include ramp access from the outside of the building to the front door and a lift at the entrance that will enable visitors who cannot manage the stairs to safely arrive and leave the building. When the work is completed, No. 2 Battery will have an attractive new frontage with ramp, steps and newly planted shrubs. At the same time, some internal work will be undertaken to attempt to resolve the damp issues that are so common with Victorian buildings of this nature. An opening date in 2024 to be advised later.

Gosport is the home of the global diving industry. The co-inventor of the diving helmet, John Deane, lived in Gosport from 1835 to 1845 during which time he discovered the Mary Rose. The first diving helmet ever sold by the inventors was to a Gosport mariner, Henry Abbinett. Gosport represents a natural home for the country’s premier historical diving museum.

The Historical Diving Society museum was established in No.2 Battery at Stokes Bay  in August 2010. It opened to the public on 30 April 2011 and was formally opened on 18 June 2011 by the Mayor of Gosport, Councillor Chris Carter in the presence of Caroline Dinenage MP and Vice Admiral Sir Richard Ibbotson CB DSC.

No.2 Battery Diving Museum opening No.2 Battery Diving Museum opening No.2 Battery Diving Museum opening No.2 Battery Diving Museum opening

The Museum houses a collection of exhibits and artefacts connected with the history of diving. The Historical Diving Society (HDS) was formed in 1990 in the UK by a group of enthusiasts whose aim is to preserve and protect diving heritage.

Diving Museum No.2 Battery Diving Museum No.2 Battery Diving Museum No.2 Battery Diving Museum

There is something for all, both divers and non-divers as well as activities for children including discovery quizzes. Exhibits include amongst many others equipment used by James Bond, modern and historical recreational diving equipment, deep saturation diving equipment and a comprehensive collection of Royal Navy equipment. Larger exhibits can be seen outside the Battery beneath the ramparts adjacent to the No.2 Battery car park.
DIVING MUSEUM WAS VOTED ONE OF THE TOP SIX FAMILY-FRIENDLY MUSEUMS IN THE UK, 2015.

Diving Museum Outdoor Exhibits Diving Museum Outdoor Exhibits    

On display at the Gosport Hiustoric Diving Museum is the Deane Helmet. This is classed as a National Treasure. It is the world’s first successful diving helmet and dates from the early 1820s. The Historic Diving Society are extremely proud to have it in their museum in Gosport, on loan from The Science Museum, as this is the first time it has ever been on display.

Deane Helmet

In March 2019 the Historic Diving Museum in No2 Battery, Stokes Bay welcomed the Major of Gosport Diane Furlong and Gosport  M.P. Caroline Dineage, together with other distinguished guests from the diving world, for the unveiling of four historically significant diving exhibits to add to their recent acquisition, the Deane Diving helmet. The ‘JIM’ atmospheric diving suit, (ADS) invented in 1969 by Mike Borrow and Mike Humphrey. A man shaped submarine it could go down to a depth of 500m In 1976 JIM set a world record for the longest working deep dive, nearly six hours. A Pegasus Special Forces Underwater Delivery Vehicle which is one of only four manufactured in the late 1960’s. On loan from The Science Museum, two exhibits which are of international importance and have never been on display to the general public. The James helmet, the oldest diving relic in the country and second oldest in the world and the marble bust of Augustus Siebe (1788-1872) who founded the diving company Siebe Gorman.

Diving Museum unveiling of new exhibits 5 March 2019

 

JIM
Pegasus
The James Helmet
Siebe bust

 

The Diving Museum, Stokes Bay Road, Gosport, PO12 2QU.
The Museum is open on weekends and Bank holidays from April to October.

Opening hours are 11am to 4pm.
Last entry 3.30pm.
Admission: Adults £5; Seniors and Children (under 16) £4; Family £15; Under 5s and carers are free.
As the exhibits are both heavy and fragile,  all under 16s must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
By arrangement the museum may also be opened for special interest groups and educational visits.

For latest details visit the Diving Museum website.

The Diving Museum website

Please note: The Diving Museum is housed in a Victorian Battery. There is a short flight of stairs down into the museum. The museum volunteers are willing and able to assist anyone who may need help managing the stairs. They have a wheelchair in the museum which is available on request. Once you are in the museum all areas are then accessible by wheelchair.