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 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

Erected by City

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of Norfolk.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Revolutionary • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is January 1, 1776.

Location. 36° 50.595′ N, 76° 17.304′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is in Waterside Promenade. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Tidewater,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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,

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, January 19, 2022

2. The Bombardment of Norfolk, 1776 Marker

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: Elizabeth River (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sgt. William H. Carney (about 700 feet away); The Cannonball Trail (about 800 feet away); Ferries to Portsmouth and Berkley (approx. 0.2 miles away); Commercial Place (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lafayette's Tour (approx. 0.2 miles away); East Main Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Underground Railroad (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norfolk.

Also see . . . The Burning of Norfolk. Wikipedia (Submitted on February 2, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

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 1,903 times since then and 104 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.