South Newport News , Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
A Great Confederate Naval Victory
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008
1. A Great Confederate Naval Victory Marker
Despite the gallant defense of these vessels, that days action vividly demonstrated the superiority of metal over wood. The victory was a high point in the hopes of the Confederacy.
The sinking of these powerful wooden warships was witnessed with dismay by Federal forces at Camp Butler which then included the site of this park. The length of anchor chain from the U.S.S. Cumberland displayed here was recovered from the river bottom in 1909.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is March 8, 1862.
Location. 36° 58.681′ N, 76° 26.017′ W. Marker is in Newport News, Virginia. It is in South Newport News. It is on West Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Marker is at entrance to Christopher Newport Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Newport News VA 23607, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Peninsula, in Hampton Roads, in Coastal Virginia, and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Tidewater. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Newport News (here, next to this marker); Headquarters, Hampton Roads
this page online
Other markers no longer nearby. A Nameless Grave (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Collis Potter Huntington (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Congress Cumberland (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Newport News Point (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008
2. Marker at Christopher Newport Park
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008
3. Marker at Congress & Cumberland Overlook
The battle that occurred near here marked the end of the age of wooden naval vessels.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 21, 2007
4. Anchor Chain of the U.S.S. Cumberland
First victim of an ironclad warship in history, sunk March 8, 1862 by the C.S.S. Virginia. This chain is now on display at the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008
5. James River Overlook
In these waters on March 8, 1862, the ironclad C.S.S. Virginia attacked and sank the U.S.S. Cumberland and U.S.S. Congress, and crippled the U.S.S. Minnesota.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, September 27, 2025
6. USS Cumberland Anchor Chain
The chain formerly accompanying this marker has moved yet again - the outside display at the old American Civil War Museum/Museum of the Confederacy location next to the Confederate White House is no more. A fragment of the chain is now displayed inside the American Civil War Museum at Tredegar. The rest of it is apparently in storage.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,768 times since then and 31 times this year. Last updated on August 28, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 16, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 6. submitted on February 15, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
