The Diving Museum

The Historical Diving Society took possession of the keys to the museum in August 2010.

Thereafter followed a busy winter and spring where members with the appropriate expertise in planning, building and other trades volunteered their services, as did many others (and their wives, children and friends). During this period the four chambers were cleared of many years of accumulated rubbish, the vegetation covering the site was brought under control. Leaks were located and dealt with, old battens and other wall fixings removed, all the internal brickwork in the museum chamber were scraped clean of old lime wash, etc., the electrics re-instated and much, much more.

Exhibits were developed and put into place during March and April 2011. The Museum then opened to the public on 30 April 2011 with over 180 visitors coming through the doors on the first day.

The museum 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.

The aim of the museum is to be educational, informative and of general interest to all comers, both divers and non-divers.

For information on the home of The Diving Museum, see No2 Battery.

The museum has a range of exhibits which cover:

• The earliest divers
• Early helmet diving
• Recreational diving
• Commercial diving
• Royal Navy diving
• Russian divers
• Diving re-breathers
• Underwater cameras
• Gosport origins and records

The diving museum is open each year from April to October inclusive on weekends and Bank holidays.
By arrangement the museum will also be opened for special interest groups and educational visits.