Swimming Point in Portsmouth, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Portsmouth Naval Hospital

“Early Naval Medicine”

— Fort Nelson Park —

Portsmouth Naval Hospital Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 30, 2015

1. Portsmouth Naval Hospital Marker

Inscription. Naval regulations of 1798 state: ”A convenient place be set apart for sick or hurt men, to which they are to be removed with their hammocks and bedding when the surgeon shall advise the same, and some of the crew appointed to attend them.” Aboard ship, the sick were usually cared for in an area on the main deck between two gun ports. This space became known as "Sick Bay." The ship’s medical officer carried the title of Surgeon or Surgeon’s Mate. In those days, medicine was primitive. It consisted of “remedies,” dressing of burns and wounds, blood letting and amputations.

Erected by Path of History, Portsmouth, Va.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1798.

Location. 36° 50.459′ N, 76° 18.289′ 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); a different marker also named Portsmouth Naval Hospital (within

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shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Portsmouth Naval Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Portsmouth Naval Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Portsmouth Naval Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Portsmouth Naval Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Portsmouth Naval Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Portsmouth Naval Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portsmouth.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 30, 2015

2. Portsmouth Naval Hospital Marker

Fort Nelson Park southeast entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 30, 2015

3. Fort Nelson Park southeast entrance

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 449 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 1, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.