The Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. A modern landmark and a great vantage point to see the South Coast from Dorset to Worthing, and ofcourse, the Solent and the Isle of Wight.
Commentary.
The tower, at a height of 560 feet (170 m), is 2 1⁄2 times as high as Nelson's Column, making it one of the tallest accessible structures in the United Kingdom outside London.
The tower is visible around Portsmouth, changing the horizon of the area.
It can be seen from the Isle of Wight, the Manhood Peninsula
and even Highdown Gardens in Worthing.
The tower represents sails billowing in the wind,
a design accomplished using two large, white, sweeping metal arcs, which give the tower its spinnaker sail design.
Poem.
Sleek, smooth, graceful curves.
Yes, sails caught in the wind.
A maritime symbol at the mouth
of a world-renowned naval harbour.
God-like views of harbours, hills,
islands, headlands, forests, towns, ports,
cities and farmland from its decks.
Now a familiar landmark for 20-30
miles since completion in 2005.
History too, falls under its shadow and gaze.
Roman Portchester.
Viking raids.
Norman Conquest.
Medieval “Mary Rose.”
18th. Century Flagship, H.M.S. Victory.
H.M.S. Warrior, iron frigate of the 19th. Century.
Disembarkation point for “D-Day” landings.
One of many assembly sites for parts
of the 21st. Century Supercarriers.
The spirits of a million sailors, over a thousand years,
still lurch and flounder the cobbled streets and half-timbered hostelries of the Old Town.
History oozes from every flagstone, every lane
and every inch of this wave-lapped harbour.
The Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. A modern landmark and a great vantage point to see the South Coast from Dorset to Worthing, and ofcourse, the Solent and the Isle of Wight.
Commentary.
The tower, at a height of 560 feet (170 m), is 2 1⁄2 times as high as Nelson's Column, making it one of the tallest accessible structures in the United Kingdom outside London.
The tower is visible around Portsmouth, changing the horizon of the area.
It can be seen from the Isle of Wight, the Manhood Peninsula
and even Highdown Gardens in Worthing.
The tower represents sails billowing in the wind,
a design accomplished using two large, white, sweeping metal arcs, which give the tower its spinnaker sail design.
Poem.
Sleek, smooth, graceful curves.
Yes, sails caught in the wind.
A maritime symbol at the mouth
of a world-renowned naval harbour.
God-like views of harbours, hills,
islands, headlands, forests, towns, ports,
cities and farmland from its decks.
Now a familiar landmark for 20-30
miles since completion in 2005.
History too, falls under its shadow and gaze.
Roman Portchester.
Viking raids.
Norman Conquest.
Medieval “Mary Rose.”
18th. Century Flagship, H.M.S. Victory.
H.M.S. Warrior, iron frigate of the 19th. Century.
Disembarkation point for “D-Day” landings.
One of many assembly sites for parts
of the 21st. Century Supercarriers.
The spirits of a million sailors, over a thousand years,
still lurch and flounder the cobbled streets and half-timbered hostelries of the Old Town.
History oozes from every flagstone, every lane
and every inch of this wave-lapped harbour.