Located near Portsmouth. The HMdb (Historical Marker database) are out doing their usual great job of cataloging the nation's "History on a Sticks."
This time, hey did one for Craney Island, a place I've never heard of before, but it is where a big victory was won over British troops in the War of 1812, and where the ironclad CSS Virginia was blown up in 1862 to prevent capture.
The marker said that during the War of 1812, on June 22, 1813, American defenders held out against a much-larger British force suffering no casualties while killing 200 British, capturing 13, and causing 40 to desert. This saved Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Gosport Naval Yard.
In May, 1862, when Confederates abandoned Norfolk, efforts were made to lighten the CSS Virginia to take her up the James River, but were unsuccessful, and the ship was blown up by Craney Island.
Didn't Know That. --Old B-Runner
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
