page_title: History of the Port of Southampton
section_title: Military Southampton
hierarchical_section_title: History of the Port of Southampton / Military Southampton
caption_attribution_description: SS Canberra and HMS Andromeda (F57) outside Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, just after the surrender of Argentine forces on 14 June 1982. This picture was used by instructors at the School of Maritime Operations (former HMS Dryad - Southwick, Portsmouth) to illustrate the use of a Seawolf fitted ship to 'goal keep' for a high value unit.
context_page_description: The Port of Southampton is a major passenger and cargo port located in the central part of the south coast of England. It has been an important port since the Roman occupation of Britain nearly two thousand years ago, and has a multifaceted history. From the Middle Ages to the end of the 20th century, it was a centre for naval shipbuilding and a departure point for soldiers going to war. The port also played a role in the development of hovercraft, flying boat services, seaplanes and the Spitfire fighter plane. Before the advent of jet travel, Southampton was Britain's gateway to the world. The port also played a minor role in the history of Britain's canals.
context_section_description: Southampton has a history as a departure point for soldiers dating to Henry V's departure for Agincourt in 1415. It has been heavily involved in most of the wars Britain has fought.
  It was the point of departure for troops heading for the Crimea and the British Expeditionary Forces heading for France in both World Wars. It was also the major port of embarkation for troops and materiel involved in Operation Overlord in 1944.
  The Marchwood Military Port, built in 1943, is the base for the 17 Port and Maritime Regiment of the Royal Logistic Corps and home port for several Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships. It is the country's only facility equipped to accept all military vehicles from army bases (by rail or road) and load them on ships destined for war zones. The port played a major role despatching ships with vehicles and equipment in the 1982 Falklands conflict, receiving eighty war dead at its conclusion. RFA Sir Galahad, sunk at Fitzroy, and her sister ships were based here.  In October 2010, it was announced that ownership would transfer from the Ministry of Defence to a private contractor as a cost-saving measure.
  Two of Southampton's best-known liners the Cunard Line RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 and the P&O liner SS Canberra played major roles in the Falklands war effort; the latter received an enthusiastic welcome upon her return.
  The Watergate Quay area was a centre for the building of naval warships during the mediaeval period, while naval and merchant ships were built in the Redbridge area during the 18th century. From 1904 to 2004 the John I. Thornycroft shipyard occupied a large site in Woolston, at the eastern mouth of the Itchen, building warships for the Royal Navy and others; the company was particularly busy before and during the two World Wars. It merged with Vosper & Company of Portsmouth in 1966, and the Woolston yard closed in 2003. Smaller shipyards, such as Husband and Day Summers & Co., also participated in the war effort.
  Ship classes built in Woolston include:
  Coastal Motor Boat
  Thornycroft type destroyer leader
  Thornycroft M-class destroyer
  Type IV Hunt-class destroyer
  Landing Craft Assault
caption: Canberra and HMS Andromeda in the Falklands
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