Craney Island Marker

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Portsmouth, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Craney Island

By Scott Rollins, June 23, 2009

1. Craney Island Marker

Inscription. Craney Island played a significant role in the War of 1812, flying the Flag of 1795, with fifteen stars and stripes. American defenders held off overwhelming British forces there on June 22, 1813.

Two hundred British soldiers were killed, thirteen taken prisoner and forty deserted. There were no American casualties. This successful battle saved Norfolk, Portsmouth and the Gosport Shipyard from British occupation and destruction.

The USS Merrimack (1856 – 1861) was at Norfolk Navy Yard in 1861, when Virginia seceded from the Union. The Federal forces burned and sank the Merrimack as they withdrew from the Navy Yard.

The Confederates salvaged the ship and converted her to an ironclad. She was commissioned the CSS Virginia in February 1862.

In May of 1862, as the Confederates abandoned the Norfolk area, efforts were made to lighten the Virginia enough to allow her to move up the James River. Unable to do so, she was destroyed by her crew off Craney Island on May 11.

Location. 36° 50.429′ N, 76° 18.073′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, Virginia. Marker is on Crawford Parkway west of Court Street, on the right. Click for map. This marker is part of the Portsmouth, VA Path of History. Marker is in this post office area: Portsmouth VA 23704, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Cornwallis at Portsmouth (within shouting distance of this marker); Arnold's British Defenses, 1781 (within shouting distance of this marker); Olde Towne Portsmouth (within shouting distance of this marker); Crawford Bay (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Nelson (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Arnold's British Defenses, 1781 (about 600 feet away, in a direct line); Elizabeth River (about 600 feet away); Portsmouth Naval Hospital (about 600 feet away). Click for a list of all markers in Portsmouth.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Another marker about the Battle of Craney Island.

Credits. This page originally submitted on July 26, 2009, by Scott Rollins of Portsmouth, Virginia. This page has been viewed 729 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on July 26, 2009, by Scott Rollins of Portsmouth, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.