Olde Towne in Portsmouth, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Lightship Portsmouth

101-WAL524

Photographed By Scott Rollins, June 1, 2009

1. Lightship Portsmouth Marker

Inscription. Lightships and the City of Portsmouth go back to the beginning of lightship duty in this country in 1820. The first lightship was established off Craney Island at the mouth of the Elizabeth River. Working lightships were constant visitors on the Portsmouth waterfront at the buoy yard until 1966, when the last lightships were discontinued in the district. At this time Lightship #101 was brought back to Portsmouth to become a permanent fixture on the waterfront. It was to be a tribute to the lightship service and to her own first home port. The custom was for the lightship vessels to take the name of the station where they were standing duty. Thus, she was renamed Portsmouth.

In 1967 the City of Portsmouth placed this vessel on the waterfront and opened it as a museum. In 1989 LIGHTSHIP PORTSMOUTH was designated a National Historic Landmark.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1820.

Location. 36° 50.222′ N, 76° 17.752′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, Virginia. It is in Olde Towne. Marker is at the intersection of Water Street and London Street, on the right when traveling north on Water Street. This marker is beside

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the brick walkway from the Lightship Portsmouth (at the west end of London Street) to the seawall and the Elizabeth River. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Portsmouth VA 23704, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Lightship Portsmouth (within shouting distance of this marker); The Coast Guard (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cornwallis' Embarkation (about 500 feet away); Revolutionary War at Portsmouth (about 500 feet away); Naval Shipyard Museum (about 600 feet away); Virginia Ship Repair Association (about 600 feet away); John Luke Porter (about 700 feet away); The Elizabeth River (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portsmouth.

More about this marker. This marker is part of the Portsmouth, VA Path of History.

Also see . . . Lightship Portsmouth Museum. (Submitted on May 31, 2015.)

Lightship Portsmouth and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Scott Rollins, June 1, 2009

2. Lightship Portsmouth and Marker

U.S. Lightship No. 101 Portsmouth National Historic Landmark Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Scott Rollins, June 1, 2009

3. U.S. Lightship No. 101 Portsmouth National Historic Landmark Marker

U.S. Lightship No. 101
Portsmouth
has been designated a
National Historic Landmark
This vessel possesses national significance in commemorating the history of the United States of America
1989
National Park Service
United States Department of the Interior

Lightship and National Historic Landmark Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Scott Rollins, June 1, 2009

4. Lightship and National Historic Landmark Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2009, by Kristin Rollins of Portsmouth, Virginia. This page has been viewed 735 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 1, 2009, by Kristin Rollins of Portsmouth, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.