Hope Village in Portsmouth, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Norfolk Naval Shipyard

“1833-1862”

— Path of History Portsmouth, VA —

Norfolk Naval Shipyard Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, September 1, 2014

1. Norfolk Naval Shipyard Marker

Inscription. Following the evacuation and burning of the yard by Federal forces, Dry Dock 1 was used by the Confederate States Navy to convert the partly burned steam frigate Merrimack into an ironclad, renamed CSS Virginia.

In March 1862, the CSS Virginia engaged and sank the wooden-constructed Union ships Congress and Cumberland. A day later, the CSS Virginia and the USS Monitor fought the first "battle of ironclads" in Hampton Roads.

On May 10, 1862, the Navy Yard was “put to the torch” for the fourth time in its history, this time by evacuating Confederate forces. The shipyard’s wartime usefulness was severely limited and it was ten years before substantial rebuilding commenced.

(caption)
USS Merrimack – CSS Virginia

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1862.

Location. 36° 49.657′ N, 76° 17.823′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, Virginia. It is in Hope Village. It can be reached from Lincoln Street east of 3rd Street, on the left when traveling east. Located in Gosport Park. 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

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are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Norfolk Naval Shipyard (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Norfolk Naval Shipyard (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Norfolk Naval Shipyard (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Norfolk Naval Shipyard (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Norfolk Naval Shipyard (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Norfolk Naval Shipyard (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Norfolk Naval Shipyard (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Norfolk Naval Shipyard (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portsmouth.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, September 1, 2014

2. Norfolk Naval Shipyard Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2014, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 795 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 2, 2014, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 2. submitted on September 3, 2014, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.