Portsmouth in WW2 History | World War II Database

1 Mar 1901

Photo(s) dated 1 Mar 1901

Fitting-out basin, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 1 Mar 1901

2 Feb 1905

Photo(s) dated 2 Feb 1905

Machine shop, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 2 Feb 1905

17 Nov 1917

Photo(s) dated 17 Nov 1917

Norfolk Navy Yard Drydock No. 4, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 17 Nov 1917

16 Jun 1919

Photo(s) dated 16 Jun 1919

Pump No. 1, Drydock No. 4, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 16 Jun 1919

2 Mar 1931

Photo(s) dated 2 Mar 1931

USS Arizona upon completion of its modernization, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 2 Mar 1931, photo 1 of 2

USS Arizona upon completion of its modernization, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 2 Mar 1931, photo 2 of 2

25 Sep 1935

United States

The keel of destroyer Helm was laid down at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States. ww2dbase [Helm | Portsmouth, Virginia | CPC]

27 May 1937

United States

Helm was launched at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States. ww2dbase [Helm | Portsmouth, Virginia | CPC]

Photo(s) dated 27 May 1937

Bagley-class destroyers Blue and Helm on 27 May 1937, the date of their launching, in Drydock #2 at Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States.

Photo(s) dated

Mahan-class destroyer USS Tucker leaving Norfolk Navy Yard after completion, 2 Mar 1937.

1 Feb 1940

United States

The keel of battleship Alabama was laid down at Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, United States. ww2dbase [Norfolk Navy Yard | Alabama | Portsmouth, Virginia | CPC]

Photo(s) dated 1 Feb 1940

Keel laying of battleship Alabama, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 1 Feb 1940

29 Jul 1940

United States

US President Franklin Roosevelt, Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox, and House Naval Affairs Committee chairman Carl Vinson arrived at Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, United States, via presidential yacht Potomac, for an inspection. After the navy yard, they also visited US Army's Langley Field and the Newport News Ship Building and Drydock Company. ww2dbase [Norfolk Navy Yard | Franklin Roosevelt | Portsmouth, Virginia | CPC]

31 Dec 1941

Photo(s) dated 31 Dec 1941

New Mexico at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 31 Dec 1941

USS New Mexico, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 31 Dec 1941, photo 1 of 5

USS New Mexico, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 31 Dec 1941, photo 2 of 5

USS New Mexico, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 31 Dec 1941, photo 3 of 5

See all photos dated 31 Dec 1941

2 Jan 1942

Photo(s) dated 2 Jan 1942

President Hayes and USS New Mexico at Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 2 Jan 1942

8 Jan 1942

Photo(s) dated 8 Jan 1942

Wasp off the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States following overhaul, 8 Jan 1942

15 Feb 1942

Photo(s) dated 15 Feb 1942

Battleship Alabama being prepared for launching, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 15 Feb 1942

16 Feb 1942

United States

Battleship Alabama was launched at Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, United States, sponsored by Henrietta McCormick Hill, the wife of US Senator J. Lister Hill. ww2dbase [Norfolk Navy Yard | Alabama | Portsmouth, Virginia | CPC]

Photo(s) dated 16 Feb 1942

Launching schedule for battleship Alabama, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 16 Feb 1942

Henrietta McCormick Hill, wife of Alabama senator Lister Hill, christening battleship Alabama at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 16 Feb 1942

Launching of battleship Alabama, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 16 Feb 1942

Battleship Alabama just after launch, Norfolk Naval Shipayrd, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 16 Feb 1942, photo 1 of 2

See all photos dated 16 Feb 1942

3 Jun 1942

Photo(s) dated 3 Jun 1942

USS North Carolina off Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 3 Jun 1942, photo 1 of 2

USS North Carolina off Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 3 Jun 1942, photo 2 of 2

9 Jul 1942

United States

Survivors of German submarine U-701, sunk by a US Hudson aircraft two days prior off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, United States, were rescued by a US Navy flying boat; they were delivered to the naval hospital at Portsmouth, Virginia, United States for treatment. In the North Atlantic, U-172 sank US ship Santa Rita at 1624 hours; 4 were killed, 59 survived. In the middle of the Atlantic Ocean between Florida, United States and Morocco, U-66 sank Yugoslavian ship Triglav at 2042 hours; 24 were killed, 19 survived. ww2dbase [Second Happy Time | Portsmouth, Virginia | CPC]

20 Aug 1942

Photo(s) dated 20 Aug 1942

PT-109 stowed on board the Liberty Ship Joseph Stanton for transportation to the Pacific Ocean, Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, United States, 20 Aug 1942, photo 1 of 2

7 Feb 1943

Photo(s) dated 7 Feb 1943

USS Alabama at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 7 Feb 1943

16 Feb 1943

United States

USS Ancon entered Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States to be converted to a combined headquarters and commications command ship. ww2dbase [Norfolk Navy Yard | Ancon | Portsmouth, Virginia | CPC]

26 Feb 1943

United States

USS Ancon's designation was officially changed from AP-66 to AGC-4 while undergoing conversion work at Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, United States. ww2dbase [Norfolk Navy Yard | Ancon | Portsmouth, Virginia | CPC]

15 Apr 1943

Photo(s) dated 15 Apr 1943

Portside broadside view of USS Yorktown (Essex-class) at Newport News, Virginia, United States, on her way to her commissioning ceremonies at Norfolk Navy Yard, 15 Apr 1943

21 Apr 1943

United States

USS Ancon's conversion work from cargo-passenger ship to combined headquarters and communications ship was completed at Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States. ww2dbase [Norfolk Navy Yard | Ancon | Portsmouth, Virginia | CPC]

Photo(s) dated 21 Apr 1943

USS Ancon, Portsmouth, Virginia, United Staes, 21 Apr 1943, photo 1 of 2

USS Ancon, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 21 Apr 1943, photo 2 of 2

27 Apr 1943

Photo(s) dated 27 Apr 1943

USS Yorktown underway off Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 27 Apr 1943; note Measure 21 camouflage

23 Jul 1943

Photo(s) dated 23 Jul 1943

Heavy cruiser USS Chester shifting berths at Norfolk Navy Yard just after being floated out of drydock, 23 Jul 1943

9 Aug 1943

United States

USS Alabama arrived at Norfolk, Virginia, United States. ww2dbase [Norfolk Navy Yard | Alabama | Portsmouth, Virginia | CPC]

19 Aug 1943

United States

USS Alabama completed a scheduled overhaul at Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, United States. ww2dbase [Norfolk Navy Yard | Alabama | Portsmouth, Virginia | CPC]

20 Aug 1943

United States

USS Alabama departed Norfolk, Virginia, United States. ww2dbase [Norfolk Navy Yard | Alabama | Portsmouth, Virginia | CPC]

Photo(s) dated 20 Aug 1943

South Dakota off the Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, United States, 20 Aug 1943

USS Alabama off Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Virginia, United States, 20 Aug 1943, photo 1 of 4

USS Alabama off Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Virginia, United States, 20 Aug 1943, photo 2 of 4

USS Alabama off Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Virginia, United States, 20 Aug 1943, photo 3 of 4

See all photos dated 20 Aug 1943

25 Nov 1943

Photo(s) dated 25 Nov 1943

Broadside view of USS Intrepid off Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 25 Nov 1943. Note the blank starboard side of the ship; later photos will show the addition of anti-aircraft gun sponsons.

19 Dec 1943

Photo(s) dated 19 Dec 1943

USS Hornet (Essex-class) laying off Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 19 Dec 1943 shortly after commissioning showing off her MS33/3a paint scheme. Photo 1 of 4.

4 May 1944

Photo(s) dated 4 May 1944

Stern view of the carrier Franklin off Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 4 May 1944

8 May 1944

United States

USS Ticonderoga was commissioned at the Norfolk Navy Yard in Portsmouth, Virginia, United States with Dixie Kiefer in command. ww2dbase [Norfolk Navy Yard | Ticonderoga | Portsmouth, Virginia | DS]

30 May 1944

Photo(s) dated 30 May 1944

Newly commissioned USS Ticonderoga moves down the Elizabeth River from the Norfolk Navy Yard to the deperming crib, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, May 30 1944; note camouflage Measure 33 Design 10A

USS Ticonderoga at Norfolk, Virginia, United States, 30 May 1944; note camouflage Measure 33 Design 10A

Starboard quarter view of USS Ticonderoga on the Elizabeth River, Portsmouth, Virginia, Untied States, May 30, 1944.

22 Jul 1944

United States

USS Ticonderoga began her first overhaul at Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States. Her flight deck was to be reconfigured to add 11 feet forward and 7 feet aft, and her anti-aircraft directors were to be repositioned. ww2dbase [Norfolk Navy Yard | Ticonderoga | Portsmouth, Virginia | DS]

25 Aug 1944

United States

USS Wake Island completed her repairs at Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States. ww2dbase [Norfolk Navy Yard | Wake Island | Portsmouth, Virginia | CPC]

30 Aug 1944

United States

USS Ticonderoga departed Norfolk, Virginia, United States at 1407 hours for the Panama Canal. ww2dbase [Ticonderoga | Portsmouth, Virginia | DS]

26 Sep 1944

Photo(s) dated 26 Sep 1944

United States Coast Guard cutter Spencer after her conversion to an Amphibious Force Flagship, Norfolk Navy Yard, Norfolk, Virginia, United States, 26 Sep 1944

29 Aug 1945

Photo(s) dated 29 Aug 1945

USS Natoma Bay and USS Anzio at Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 29 Aug 1947

29 Nov 1945

United States

Fox was decommissioned from service at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States. ww2dbase [Norfolk Navy Yard | Fox | Portsmouth, Virginia | CPC]

8 Nov 1946

United States

USS Bennington was decommissioned at Norfolk, Virginia, United States. ww2dbase [Norfolk Navy Yard | Bennington | Portsmouth, Virginia | DS]

18 Oct 1951

United States

USS Missouri entered Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, United States for a scheduled overhaul. ww2dbase [Norfolk Navy Yard | Missouri | Portsmouth, Virginia | CPC]

30 Mar 1952

United States

USS Missouri completed her scheduled overhaul at Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, United States. ww2dbase [Norfolk Navy Yard | Missouri | Portsmouth, Virginia | CPC]

4 Aug 1952

United States

USS Missouri entered Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, United States for refitting. ww2dbase [Norfolk Navy Yard | Missouri | Portsmouth, Virginia | CPC]

11 Jun 1954

United States

USS Wisconsin began a scheduled overhaul at Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, United States. ww2dbase [Norfolk Navy Yard | Wisconsin | Portsmouth, Virginia | CPC]

12 Jul 1954

United States

USS Wisconsin completed her scheduled overhaul at Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, United States. ww2dbase [Norfolk Navy Yard | Wisconsin | Portsmouth, Virginia | CPC]

6 Feb 1960

United States

USS Cassin Young arrived at Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, United States for inactivation. ww2dbase [Norfolk Navy Yard | Cassin Young | Portsmouth, Virginia | CPC]

7 Dec 2000

United States

Battleship Wisconsin arrived at Portsmouth, Virginia, United States under tow. ww2dbase [Wisconsin | Portsmouth, Virginia | CPC]

Timeline Section Founder: Thomas Houlihan
Contributors: Alan Chanter, C. Peter Chen, Thomas Houlihan, Hugh Martyr, David Stubblebine
Special Thanks: Rory Curtis

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