Swimming Point in Portsmouth, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Portsmouth Naval Hospital
Yellow Fever Epidemic
Fort Nelson Park
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 30, 2015
1. Portsmouth Naval Hospital Marker
Inscription.
Portsmouth Naval Hospital. Yellow Fever Epidemic. In June 1855, the steamer Franklin put into Norfolk for repairs while sailing from the West Indies to New York. Mosquitoes carrying yellow fever escaped when the vessel docked. The Naval Hospitals first yellow fever patients came from Gosports Marine barracks. As the mosquitoes spread, the local population quickly succumbed to the disease. By August, 20 to 70 citizens per day were stricken. In desperation, representatives of Portsmouth appealed to the Navy to help treat townspeople. The hospital was then opened to the local population and 587 citizens were treated. In appreciation, the Common Council of Portsmouth presented gold medals to six naval surgeons.
In June 1855, the steamer Franklin put into Norfolk for repairs while sailing from the West Indies to New York. Mosquitoes carrying yellow fever escaped when the vessel docked. The Naval Hospitals first yellow fever patients came from Gosports Marine barracks. As the mosquitoes spread, the local population quickly succumbed to the disease. By August, 20 to 70 citizens per day were stricken. In desperation, representatives of Portsmouth appealed to the Navy to help treat townspeople. The hospital was then opened to the local population and 587 citizens were treated. In appreciation, the Common Council of Portsmouth presented gold medals to six naval surgeons.
Erected by Path of History, Portsmouth, Va.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Science & Medicine. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1855.
Location. 36° 50.505′ N, 76° 18.296′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, Virginia. It is in Swimming Point. It can be reached from the intersection of Effingham Street and Crawford Parkway, on the right when traveling north. 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: A different marker also named Portsmouth Naval Hospital (a few steps from this marker);
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 478 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on May 31, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
