Postcards from Portsmouth Navy Yard

THE SHIPYARD

With base closure looming, national attention focused on the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in the summer of its 205^th year. With the future in doubt, we pause instead, to take a look backward 100 years. Click to see a dozen colorized postcards from the historic shipyard at the turn of the 20^th century.

READ a Brief History of the Portsmouth Shipyard

The definitive history of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is available in the book "Do Your Job!" by Richard Windslow – a book well worth owning. It was published in the year 2000 during the 200^th anniversary of the nation’s oldest public / private shipyard. When base commander Isaac Hull arrived for duty here during the War of 1812, there were only a few scattered buildings and a dozen employees. At its peak the Yard employed over 8,000. A total of 134 submarines were built here by 1969. The following postcards offers a look back at shipyard as it was seen by visitors around the turn of the 20^th century. --JDR

(Place mouse cursor over image to see captions)
Old bridge leading to turn of the 20th century Portsmouth Shipyard

General Office Building, Portsmouth Navy Yard

Old shot and shell about 1908 at navy yard

Lower Harbor showing French Man O'War