HMS Hecla Memorial

An easy one to walk on by, but there is a story to be told. So gather round. In many ways this is quite a bizarre monument which marks the bravery of two sailors, who in 1854, during the Crimea War drew fire from the enemy allowing other members of the shore party to get safely back to HMS Hecla. Thereafter Captain Hall had the rock brought back as a monument. In 1965 a request was received by Portsmouth Council from, The Navy to have the rock placed aboard the newly commissioned survey Vessel HMS Hecla to be helmed by a Captain Hall (no relation to above). The Council said yes, but later realising the folly of such a heavy object being placed on a ship the request was not followed up.The original HMS Hecla was the site of another brave act in 1854 when twenty year old Charles Davis Lucas picked up an unexploded shell from the deck tossing it overboard whereafter it exploded causing minor damage to the Ship. Lucas was named in the first ever list of Victoria Cross awards.

Interesting historical monument with a clear plaque explaining the importance of the boulder to a military victory. Worth a read and visit. Always good to sit around or take a walk past on your way to the canteen or the hot walls. The square tower and round tower nearby are both quite interesting and this is worth a visit on the way.