Shockoe Bottom in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Confederate Navy Yard

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, October 25, 2009

1. Confederate Navy Yard Marker

Inscription. Begun in 1862, the Confederate Navy Yard occupied both banks of the James River, including the community and port of Rocketts Landing on the north bank. The Yard was the base, construction site, and headquarters for the James River Squadron, commanded by Admiral Raphael Semmes, which included the famous ironclad vessel; C.S.S. Virginia II, as well as other ironclads. Here, too, the Confederate Navy fashioned prototype artillery mounted on a railroad car for General Lee’s use at the battle of Savage Station on June 29, 1862. On April 3, 1865, Confederate troops burned the yard and destroyed vessels as a part of the evacuation of Richmond. After the Civil War, Trigg Shipyards continued the tradition of military shipbuilding in this area of Richmond.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1818.

Location. 37° 31.552′ N, 77° 25.255′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in Shockoe Bottom. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Dock Street and Pear Street. This marker is located at the east end of the parking lot in the Great Shiplock Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2806 Dock Street, Richmond VA 23223, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Great Ship Lock (a few steps from this marker);

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Rocketts Landing (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Great Ship Lock (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Great Ship Lock (a few steps from this marker); Coffer Dams (within shouting distance of this marker); 17 Feet (within shouting distance of this marker); Rocketts Landing and Wharf / Confederate Navy Yard / Powhatan’s Birthplace (within shouting distance of this marker); City Locks River Gauge (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

Also see . . . James River and Kanawha Canal Historic District. National Register of Historic Places (Submitted on October 26, 2009.)

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, October 25, 2009

2. Confederate Navy Yard Marker

View from the great lock towards Rocketts Landing. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, October 25, 2009

3. View from the great lock towards Rocketts Landing.

Raphael Semmes image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Boston : L. Prang & Co., circa 1865

4. Raphael Semmes

Library of Congress [LC-USZC4-2385]

View of Rocketts [Landing] and south side of James River from Libby Hill. image. Click for full size.

circa 1865

5. View of Rocketts [Landing] and south side of James River from Libby Hill.

Library of Congress [LC-USZ62-132704]

View on the dock on south side of James River opposite Rocketts. image. Click for full size.

Apr 1865

6. View on the dock on south side of James River opposite Rocketts.

Library of Congress [LC-USZ62-68629]

Great Shiplock Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, October 25, 2009

7. Great Shiplock Park

The great lock, built between 1850-1854, connected the James River with the Richmond Dock, completing the James River and Kanawha Canal system that bypassed seven miles of falls and continued 197 miles through Virginia’s western mountain ranges.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,280 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on October 26, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.