Lightships were in use in England since the 1730s. The first U.S. contract for a lightship was awarded in 1819 to John Poole of Hampton. In 1820, the ship was complete and anchored just off Willoughby Spit as an aid to commercial shipping vessels. The position was deemed too volatile due to storms and heavy …
The British, under Adm. Sir John B. Warren and Brigadier Gen. Sir Sydney Beckwith were defeated at the Battle of Craney Island. The British heavily outnumbered the Americans and took many casualties, including King George’s son. The American forces were able to protect Portsmouth and the Shipyard without an adequate Navy in the region and …
First ship built here for the U.S. Navy. The Chesapeake was attacked by the British in 1807. The attack led to the court martial of James Barron and ultimately to the duel with Stephen Decatur. The same attack was a contributing cause of the War of 1812. The ship was eventually captured off the coast …
“He was reinforced by Gen. Phillips with 2,000 troops, and later by the Army of Lord Cornwallis, who assumed command, and in August evacuated Portsmouth for Yorktown, where he surrendered to American and French forces on October 19th. Arnold was subordinate to Phillips, but when Phillips died at Petersburg Arnold made Portsmouth command headquarters for …
General Cornwallis hoped to divert attention from his push through North Carolina to Virginia by occupying Portsmouth. When the loyalists lost battles in North Carolina, Cornwallis ordered Leslie and his remaining troops to set sail and join him in Portsmouth.
During the invasion Fort Nelson was captured, 137 vessels were burned along with the Gosport Shipyard, “The Most Considerable in America.”
After his defeat at the Battle of Great Bridge, his ships bombarded Norfolk. He made his final stand at Hospital Point, Portsmouth, before being driven from the harbor. Portsmouth was then occupied by the 4th Virginia Regiment, and Fort Nelson was built at Hospital Point. Short of troops Dunmore issued the first emancipation proclamation saying …
An early skirmish of the American Revolution where the Tories were defeated by the Virginia Regiment. Portsmouth native, Billy Flora, a free black man and Portsmouth’s local blacksmith, is often called the Hero of Great Bridge. He was a sentry and took it upon himself to fire on the British as they advanced across the …
This was the best location on the coast for a shipyard because of the sandbank in the Elizabeth River which allowed ships to be easily careened: the predecessor to drydocking.
Crawford named the town for Portsmouth England because the U.K. Portsmouth had the most famous shipyard in Great Britain. Portsmouth, England, also has a famous Naval Hospital, as does Portsmouth VA. He dedicated the four corners of High and Court Streets for a church, a market, a courthouse, and a jail.
Captain William Carver, a populist leader who participated in Bacon’s Rebellion, was hanged in 1676 for opposing autocratic government after a failed attempt to capture the Governor, Sir William Berkeley. Carver’s second patent was dated 15 September 1664, eight years before his hanging.
John Wood, a shipbuilder, petitioned King James for a land grant. Beginning of regional land grants and settlement as a plantation community.
Women’s apparel, including hats, bags, shoes, jewelry, accessories and more. In business for more than 20 years.
Hard Times Skate shop in Portsmouth, Virginia offers everything for the skating enthusiast including decks, wheels, trucks, accessories, t-shirts, socks, footwear, hoodies, and much, much more. Hard Times Skate Shop is located inside of Cradock’s Historic Afton Square Shopping Centre and just a few blocks away from George Washington Skate Park. Some of the things …
Family owned for over 20 years. It’s not just new and pre-owned bikes you’ll find at Bayside Harley-Davidson. You’ll also find all the gear you need to look great and stay safe on the road, as well as a committed service and parts team with the ability to keep your Harley running great for years …
Retail chain selling athletic shoes, apparel and accessories, and licensed team merchandise.
Family-owned since 1947, this garden center offers a wide variety of seeds, plants, flags, and other decorative items for the home.
Primarily known for building decks and porches, MNK has a unique outdoor showroom of patio and deck furniture for sale.
The Olde Towne Portsmouth Farmers Market primarily focuses on food and farm-related products, but also features soaps, candles, jewelry, and handsewn/knitted items (masks, hats, scarves, aprons — and even dog apparel)! The market also offers some arts/crafts items offered based on space available as the season progresses. You can enjoy the Olde Towne Portsmouth Farmers …
Cedar Grove Cemetery was established in 1831 as the first secular cemetery in the town of Portsmouth and is on the National Register of Historic Places. This Virginia historical site contains more than 4000 graves with monuments dating back to the late 1700s. The funerary art offers notable examples of Greek Revival, Exotic Revival, and …
Oak Grove Cemetery, sometimes referred to as Portlock Cemetery, holds the remains of over 13,000 people. This Virginia historical site opened in 1850. The cemetery is home to civil war veterans, victims of the Yellow Fever epidemic, and many notable Portsmouth citizens such as Congressmen Harry Lee Maynard and Norman Hamilton, Congressional Medal of Honor …