FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the monument for?
A: To commemorate all those who passed through “HMS Vernon” over the years, in particular those serving as Divers or Mine Warfare specialists or who worked with the teams in their various roles. By placing the momument in a conspicuous, public place, it will help raise awareness of the dangerous underwater ordnance disposal role that this community has fulfilled, and continues to perform, across the globe.

Q: Why build one now?
A: In 1996, the MoD sold what many knew as HMS Vernon, to a commercial property company, for the site to be redeveloped and rebranded as Gunwharf Quays, which then reopened in 2001 (see details at www.gunwharf-quays.com). Scattered in between the new luxury residential and retail property developments there are some original, Royal Navy-era relics that remind one of the nautical history associated with this famous site: some late-Victorian buildings; a few torpedo exhibits; a couple of famous figureheads from long-gone wooden-hulled warships; even the venerable red GPO telephone box has survived somehow... But there's only one mine: a refurbished M Mark1 found recently under rubble during some building works. Yet there's few memorials on the site. What of all the service personnel who passed through the gates of HMS Vernon, serving as divers or mine warfare specialists? The answer is the proposed Vernon Mine Warfare & Diving Monument, a permanent, very suitable tribute to that select community.

Q: Who'll see it?
A: Over 30 million people have visited Gunwharf Quays since its opening in 2001. The proposed location for this particular monument will be in one of the most conspicuous positions in this very popular public site. The 29-storey tower of No.1 Gunwharf Quays, standing right next to the old Main Gate is an astonishing complement to the graceful Spinnaker Tower over by the waterside. The latest panoramic views of what used to be HMS Vernon can be seen at the property developer's website at www.gunwharfquays.co.uk. Other recent views of the area are in the Gallery on this website.

Q: What's the proposed design?
A: A bronze statue on a stone plinth. To demonstrate the active nature of clearance diving and minewarfare combat operations, the current favoured design is a bronze-cast statue of a diver, wearing CDBA diving equipment, dealing with a moored-type mine, with both objects mounted on a raised stone plinth, positioned on a concrete, tripod-like, underwater structure. The scale would probably be 1.5 time life-size and the whole monument may be illuminated to give greater visual impact.

Q: When's it all going to happen?
A: As soon as can be achieved, but the recent global economic downturn is having a dramatic negative impact on many fundraising campaigns. We must accept that it may take us longer to raise the sums needed than previously planned: Originally we had looked at July 2009 as a target for completion. There have been several commendable attempts in previous years to start such a project. The process thus far, defining the outline concept, gaining Association support and then various approvals, has taken many months but we now have the necessary endorsements from the key authorities. There's no known significant anniversary date to commemorate but we are researching various events in case one happens to coincide with the project's eventual completion date... late 2010 or even 2011 may prove more pragmatic completion dates.

Q: Where's it going to go?
A: In the middle of Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth. The current preferred location is in the western end of the "Vernon Canal", near to the old crane, opposite what became the Customs House building (previously the "Captain's Offices"). Health & Safety issues certainly support the case for mounting the whole item actually in the canal, thereby providing a natural moat defence around a statue with spikey bits on it!

Q: So what happens next?
A: There are several critical stages fast approaching...

Formal approval
We have recently secured outline approval for such a statue from both the Gunwharf Quays site owners (Land Securities Group) and Portsmouth City Council's Conservation & Design planning authorities, so we know that what is proposed, subject to formal approval, can indeed be fulfilled.

Greater participation
This statue will represent all divers and minewarfare specialists, so we are now inviting serving and retired personnel, from all ranks and rates of our extended community, to become involved as volunteers in delivering this monument. Whether part-time or full-time, in the Organising Committee or as a local fundraiser, all support is welcomed. The MCD Officers Association is leading on the project so far but the aim is also to fully involve the Association of Royal Navy First Class Divers (AORNFCD), all Royal Navy Clearance Divers, the new RN Minewarfare Association and all others whom the monument represents, in the UK and abroad: there's plenty to do in the planning and production process!

Fundraising and Good Causes
Having expanded the Organising Management Committee, we have selected the sculptor, are in the closing phase of finalising the design and will soon be ready to start the production process. These three criteria will determine most of the cost of such a monument: an modified estimate is upwards of £250,000. Certain monies will need to be set aside for future insurances and maintenance but almos the entire sum will go towards the monument production costs. A strong case exists, given the proven capacity for Royal Navy Divers and Mine Warfare specialists to raise money for worthy causes, that any excess funds from the project should be divided up between suitable, related charities.
Plans are in hand to produce a limited edition of 15" tall models and miniatures of our statue, to support the fundraising process. Further ongoing merchandising sales, of limited edition artwork and associated project materials, to support our various Associations and their respective chosen charities, will be a very worthwhile activity. Please see the Purchases page for more details.

Social Events
Whilst the formal unveiling ceremony will offer a good opportunity to celebrate in true HMS Vernon style, one very enjoyable way to raise funds, possibly, would be at the various Association social events scheduled for the coming months of 2010?

Project Structure
Commander Paul Jones Royal Navy, the Superintendent of Diving, has kindly agreed to act as the Prime Sponsor for the project, in his capacity as Chairman of the MCDOA. Lt Cdr Dave Carey RN (Retd) has volunteered as Project Manager, assisted by a growing team of both serving and retired volunteers.

Q: What can I do to help?
A: Register your support. Initially, please register your overall support or thoughts on line using the Contact Us page of this website. You may wish to pledge a donation now via the Donation page. Soon you will be invited to make the payments, either direct via a bank transfer, or by cheque or via Just Giving, our chosen donation portal. We will need additional volunteer resources, particularly with fundraising and PR. This is when your time and energies perhaps could help in some other way, to ensure overall success of the project. All offers of such suport wil be warmly welcomed and gratefully appreciated.

So, that's the outline of Plan A for Project Vernon, the Monument: now we just have to build it and pay for it...

PROJECT VERNON Mine Warfare & Diving Monument

Nothing too AWKWARD to achieve...