American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1855-09-29
PORTSMOUTH.

EY The following article from tho
Riehmoad Dispatch of March l6, will be
road with interest at this time:--
One Of the most interesting and prom.
ising towns in the Commonwealth is
Portsmouth. We were greatly pleased
on areceut visit TO soc such manifest
evidences of its growth and prosperity.
Portsmouth was established town in
1772. It's beautifully Situated on lev
ol plain. on the south side of The Elisa
beth river Immediately opposite tho
city of Norfolk. Its water front extends
to the channel of the river, which is deep
enough to ACCOMMODATE ships of the larg-
est size. The town is divided into two
parts by ravine or narrow branch of
the river, the one part called Portsmouth
aud the other Gosport, both under the
same municipal authority. The U. S.
Navy Yard, tho most important naval
depot in the United States, is situated
OF the Southern extremity Of Gosport,
aud is the great rendezvous for our ships
! OF war. There, too, most of our aimed
ships are built and launched Some fit.
teen hundred mechanics and labor ers are
constantly employed at this depot. 1t
is great school for naval architecture
Esnd some OF the first mechanics in the
world find encouragement in this estab-
llishm,nt.
The streets Of Portsmouth are laid off
at right angles, alternating in width 100
so and 30 feet. The population in 1850
was about 5000, and is at this time a.
. bout 10000. Many of the buildings
are ancient in appearance and con-
structed of wood; but those of mode I'm
construction are chiefly of brick, espec-
3 tally on the business streets, and bear
the mark of progress.
There are large public houses, the
/ Crawford House. Macon House aud o.
cean House, besides others Of less i'm
portancc. The Ocean House is now in
! progress of construction aud presents u
magnificent appearance on its central
( location near the court house. II is said
that these establishments are conducted
with great iibcrality. How could it be
otherwise, where all the earth or ocean
can afford is in their Immediate reach?
Oyster banks which never break and
every variety Of fish at the very doors of
the inhabitants.
Portsmouth shares with Norfolk a
considerable trade with the counties of
North Carolina on the lower Roanoke,
! whose waters are united with those of
the Elisabeth by the Dismal Swamp ca
nal Here the Sweaboard and Roam
oke Railroad which connects with
Weldon Wilmington and Raleigh. ter
inmates. This road is great source
of trade and travel. The splendid lines
of steamers 10 Baltimore, Philadelphia
and New York connect with it. Rich
mond and Petersburg are now connect
ed with Portsmouth by Railroad, tho
the route is somewhat circuitou S. by
Weldon.
Portsmouth may be said, upon the
whole, to be thriving prosperour town
1t has cheerful air and attractive as
pect. Its public works, Its proximity
to the seabord, to Old Point and the
cities of tho North, all point it out as a
'eee sc decided ST 20 ;..s aasasel
Ter.
Among its manufactures are the Cos.
port Iron Works and a recently estab.
lished car mandatory. Its public
schools are an honor and blessing to
The town, and might well demand {
separate article.
The U. S. Naval Hospital, in the
neighhorhood of Portsmouth, is one OF
| the most massive and beautiful edifices
OF the kind in tho country. Its cost ex
ceeded that of the State Capitol.