Waterside Promenade in Norfolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Bombardment of Norfolk, 1776
— Norfolk Heritage Cannonball Trail —
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, January 19, 2022
1. The Bombardment of Norfolk, 1776 Marker
Inscription.
The Bombardment of Norfolk, 1776. . The bombardment and burning of Norfolk helped fuel the American Revolution. In retaliation for Norfolk’s refusal to supply provisions for his ships, the British Royal Governor, Lord Dunmore, ordered his fleet to fire on the town in the afternoon of New Year’s Day 1776. The entire waterfront of the borough was under siege from the man-of-war HMS Liverpool lying in the Elizabeth River near here and from six other vessels, including the HMS Otter and HMS Kingfisher, extending westward to Town Point. One of Dunmore’s cannonballs remains lodged in the wall of St. Paul’s Church three blocks north. Landing parties were sent ashore to burn buildings used by snipers shooting at the ships. Dunmore’s troops destroyed 19 buildings. Partly to prevent the British from occupying the borough’s strategic location, Virginia and Carolina militiamen went on a rampage and further burned and plundered Norfolk over the next two days. When Colonel William Woodford and General Robert Howe had regained control of their patriot troops, about two-thirds of Norfolk, 863 buildings, had been destroyed., (caption) , View of part of the ruins of Norfolk, by Benjamin Latrobe, 1796: Courtesy of the Maryland Historical Society
The bombardment and burning of Norfolk helped fuel the American Revolution. In retaliation for Norfolk’s refusal to supply provisions for his ships, the British Royal Governor, Lord Dunmore, ordered his fleet to fire on the town in the afternoon of New Year’s Day 1776. The entire waterfront of the borough was under siege from the man-of-war HMS Liverpool lying in the Elizabeth River near here and from six other vessels, including the HMS Otter and HMS Kingfisher, extending westward to Town Point. One of Dunmore’s cannonballs remains lodged in the wall of St. Paul’s Church three blocks north. Landing parties were sent ashore to burn buildings used by snipers shooting at the ships. Dunmore’s troops destroyed 19 buildings. Partly to prevent the British from occupying the borough’s strategic location, Virginia and Carolina militiamen went on a rampage and further burned and plundered Norfolk over the next two days. When Colonel William Woodford and General Robert Howe had regained control of their patriot troops, about two-thirds of Norfolk, 863 buildings, had been destroyed.
(caption) View of part of the ruins of Norfolk, by Benjamin Latrobe, 1796: Courtesy of the Maryland Historical Society
Location. 36° 50.595′ N, 76° 17.304′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is in Waterside Promenade. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Waterside Drive (Virginia Route 337) and East Water Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located at the rear of the Dominion Tower on the bulkhead. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 999 Waterside Drive, Norfolk VA 23510, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . The Burning of Norfolk. Wikipedia (Submitted on February 2, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, January 19, 2022
2. The Bombardment of Norfolk, 1776 Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 2, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 852 times since then and 244 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on February 2, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
