Yorktown in York County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Brig Betsy
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 20, 2013
1. The Brig Betsy Marker
What remains of the Betsy lies on the bottom of the York River just beyond the end of this pier. A two-masted brig, originally built to carry coal, the Betsy was one of more than a dozen vessels deliberately scuttled, or sunk, by the British in September 1781 just off the Yorktown waterfront. Beginning in 1982, Virginia Department of Historic Resources archaeologists excavated parts of the ship as well as hundreds of other artifacts. A temporary steel cofferdam eliminated dangerous currents and also allowed for improved visibility. Much of the ships hull and framing had survived after more than 200 years. Among the artifacts recovered from the 175-foot-long brig were weapons, rigging, barrels, a cannon carriage, and personal objects from the captains cabin.
(captions)
Original art by Roy Andersen, courtesy of Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation. Photo courtesy of David L. Justis, M.D.
Courtesy of Bates Littlehales, Photographer.
Erected 2010 by York County.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Revolutionary • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1781.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 37°
this page online
Regionally, this marker was on Virginia’s Peninsula, in Coastal Virginia, and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area. It was also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Tidewater. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 location: Yorke Village (within shouting distance of this marker); York Under The Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); York Under Siege 1781 (within shouting distance of this marker); An Archer House (within shouting distance of this marker); Remembering Ancestors (about 400 feet away); Yorktowns Waterfront (about 400 feet away); In Memory of the Men of the French Fleet (about 500 feet away); French American Revolutionary War Memorial (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yorktown.
Other markers no longer nearby. Yorktown's Sunken Fleet (was here, next to this marker but has been confirmed missing); Pirates in Yorktown? (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing); Chesapeake Bay Impact Crater (was about 300 feet away but has been confirmed missing).
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 20, 2013
2. Yorktown's Riverwalk
Credits. This page was last revised on January 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,322 times since then and 70 times this year. Last updated on January 5, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 21, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
