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

Collier's Raid

Photographed by Scott Rollins, June 23, 2009

1. Collier's Raid Marker

Inscription. A British fleet under Commodore Sir George Collier sailed up the Elizabeth River and shelled Fort Nelson in May 1779, during the Revolutionary War. A landing force of 1,800 infantrymen led by Brig. Gen. Edward Mathew captured the fort on 10 May after a brief resistance. The British occupied Portsmouth, Gosport, and Norfolk, and burned Suffolk and the Gosport shipyard. Collier also captured or burned 137 vessels in Hampton Roads and dismantled Fort Nelson. The British force then embarked and sailed to New York.

Erected 1998 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number Q 8-g.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1779.

Location. 36° 50.425′ N, 76° 18.253′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, Virginia. It is in Olde Towne. It is at the intersection of Washington Street and Crawford Parkway, on the left when traveling north on Washington Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Portsmouth VA 23704, 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,

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: Portsmouth Naval Hospital (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Portsmouth Naval Hospital

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(about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Portsmouth Naval Hospital (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Portsmouth Naval Hospital (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Portsmouth Naval Hospital (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Portsmouth Naval Hospital (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Portsmouth Naval Hospital (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Portsmouth Naval Hospital (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portsmouth.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, February 12, 2014

2. Collier's Raid Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2009, by Kristin Rollins of Portsmouth, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,235 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 27, 2009, by Kristin Rollins of Portsmouth, Virginia. 2. submitted on February 14, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.