HMS Excellent is a Royal Navy **stone frigate** (shore establishment) located on Whale Island in Portsmouth Harbour, Hampshire, serving as a key training base rather than a seagoing vessel. Originating from the historic gunnery school established in 1830 aboard hulks and moving ashore in 1891, it was the principal centre for naval gunnery training until the school's closure in 1985. Today, as part of the Maritime Warfare School (headquartered at HMS Collingwood), Excellent hosts specialised training in firefighting, damage control, leadership, and other essential skills, while also housing Navy Command Headquarters, lodger units, cadet organisations, and facilities like the Defence Diving School support at Horsea Island. As of early 2026, it remains actively operational, preserving historic artefacts including the State Funeral Gun Carriage used in royal ceremonies.
