Olde Towne in Portsmouth, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Craney Island
Photographed by Scott Rollins, June 23, 2009
1. Craney Island Marker
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.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War of 1812 • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1862.
Location. 36° 50.429′ N, 76° 18.069′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, Virginia
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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, 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: Crawford Bay (here, next to 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); Fort Nelson (within shouting distance of this marker); Gaskins Silversmith Shop (about 800 feet away); Elks Lodge (approx. 0.2 miles away); Watts House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portsmouth.
Other markers no longer nearby. Arnold's British Defenses, 1781 (was about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing); Elizabeth River (was about 600 feet away but has been confirmed missing); Portsmouth Naval Hospital (was about 600 feet away but has been confirmed missing).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Another marker about the Battle of Craney Island.
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, February 12, 2014
2. Craney Island Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 26, 2009, by Kristin Rollins of Portsmouth, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,610 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 26, 2009, by Kristin Rollins of Portsmouth, Virginia. 2. submitted on February 14, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
