THE SHIPYARD

Here is the complete story of the only German subs that entered Portsmouth Harbor in World War II. Four U-boats chose to surrender at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Here is the complete story day-by-day from radio news accounts in May 1945.

THE SHIPYARD

Yes, Humprhey Bogart was involved in a serious incident while on his way to Portsmouth Prison following World War I. And yes, Bogie did serve a little time in jail. But you won’t know what really happened unless you click and read the facts. Truth is stranger than fiction.

THE SHIPYARD

It isn’t often you get to read a read whaler’s journal. That is especially true in Portsmouth where the whaling industry was short-lived and the whalers few and far between. Following is a rare 1840s excerpt from the writing of Leander Huntress aboard the NH ship Ann Parry.

MARITIME HISTORY

Captain Ahab wasn’t the only one who went under in the whale oil business. Portsmouth, New Hampshire tried and failed to be like New Boston. Well known local businessmen invested. There was some success, and then the venture sank like a stone.

JOHN PAUL JONES FILM

The 1959 film John Paul Jones is the only major Hollywood movie about the naval hero. Portsmouth, NH is the only American site of a John Paul Jones house museum. The film premiered here as a fundraiser for the founding of Strawbery Banke Museum. Click to read ourr abridged version of the film plot.

JOHN PAUL JONES
Rear Admiral Joeseph Callo says John Paul Jones was a true American hero worthy of honor and respect. Callo goes so far as to suggest that his honorary title "Father of the American Navy" is not enough. Jones, he says, should be considered a full-fledged "founding father" like Washington, Jefferson and Franklin. And he says so in a new book designed to rebutt recent criticism.

JOHN PAUL IN SCOTLAND

Through this window the young John Paul Jones first saw the world. Even though he returned in a Portsmouth-built ship to raid his own home territory, John Paul Jones is remembered kindly in his hometown on Solway Bay in Scotland. JPJ’s father was a gardener and the preserved 1747 cottage remains on the estate grounds.

PORTSMOUTH SHIPYARD STORIES

The Franklin Shiphouse went up in a mighty orgy of flame and smoke. That was March 10, 1936. A local man, then a boy of 10, recalled the fiery scene as the most awesome event of its kind that he has ever seen. He watched the destructive flames from the safety of Pierce Island in a chilly dawn.

WW2 MARITIME HERITAGE
January 1942

During the 20^th century deadly mines were planted along the floor of the Piscataqua connecting NH and Maine. Although none were detonated, ten men died when a mine-planter sank off the Isles of Shoals. This is the story of the Richard Arnold by reader request.

JOHN SULLIVAN DEFENDS JPJ

Captain Jones’ second visit to Portsmouth, NH ended badly. After a year of waiting to gain command of the AMERICA, largest ship built to date in North America, he lost the ship to the French. Then Ebenezer Hogg's lawsuit added insult to injury. Jones had to rely on Durham, NH lawyer John Sullivan, who offered him some good advice – duck out of town!