Battle for Southsea

The Battle of Southsea was a series of riots over 4 days in August 1874 over access to a section of Southsea beach. Earlier in 1874, the Clarence Pier Company attempted to connect Clarence Pier to the nearby Assembly Rooms effectively closing public access to the beach between the pier and the Hot Walls in Old Portsmouth. Rioting broke out on Southsea Common as the crowd attempted to reopen the route. The Riot Act was eventually invoked with soldiers from the 9th Regiment helping to dispersing the crowd.