Craney Farms / Green Acres in Portsmouth, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Craney Island

Photographed by James Thomson, November 19, 2010

1. Craney Island Marker K 266 close-up

Inscription. Seven miles northeast in the Elizabeth River is Craney Island, a landmark of two wars. During the War of 1812, the British attacked its fortifications on 22 June 1813, but were repulsed by its defenders including the Portsmouth artillery. During the Civil War, while abandoning Norfolk in April 1861, the Union forces scuttled the USS Merrimack. The Confederates refloated it and transformed it into their first ironclad, the CSS Virginia. Famous for its duel to a draw with the USS Monitor, the Virginia was scuttled at Craney Island on 11 May 1862, when the Confederates evacuated Norfolk.

Erected 1997 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-266.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Roads & Vehicles • War of 1812 • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1861.

Location. 36° 50.652′ N, 76° 21.986′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, Virginia. It is in Craney Farms / Green Acres. It is at the intersection of High Street West (U.S. 17) and Duke Drive, on the right when traveling east on High Street West. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3145 Duke Drive, Portsmouth VA 23703, 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.

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At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Dale Point (approx. half a mile away); General Lafayette Memorial (approx. ¾ mile away); Portsmouth Light Artillery Monument (approx. ¾ mile away); A Living Memorial (approx. ¾ mile away); V. C. Andrews Monument (approx. 1.1 miles away); Lest We Forget (approx. 1.1 miles away); Sailors and Marines Memorial (approx. 1.4 miles away); Benedict Arnold at Portsmouth (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portsmouth.

Craney Island Marker K 266 looking east image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Thomson, November 19, 2010

2. Craney Island Marker K 266 looking east

Craney Island Marker K 266 looking west image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Thomson, November 19, 2010

3. Craney Island Marker K 266 looking west

Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 19, 2010, by James Thomson of Chesapeake, United States. This page has been viewed 1,943 times since then and 45 times this year. Last updated on November 21, 2010, by James Thomson of Chesapeake, United States. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 19, 2010, by James Thomson of Chesapeake, United States. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.