Craney Island, Naval fuel depot in Portsmouth, Virginia
Craney Island is a military fuel storage facility located along the Elizabeth River in Portsmouth, Virginia, operated by the Naval Supply Systems Command. A section of the site is used by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to deposit material dredged from nearby shipping channels.
In June 1813, during the War of 1812, American troops repelled a British attack on the island, protecting the nearby cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth. The site later took on new roles over the following centuries as the area around the Elizabeth River grew in military importance.
The name of the island comes from a mistake made by early English settlers who confused the herons living here with cranes. These birds still return to the area today, making them a quiet but noticeable part of what the site looks like from the water.
Access to the site is restricted because it is an active military facility, so anyone wishing to visit should check with the relevant authorities before going. Those who want to see the area from the water should plan their outing around calm weather for better visibility.
During the Civil War, the island briefly became a refuge for formerly enslaved people who had been classified as contraband of war, a legal status that offered them a form of protection. This continued until 1863, and it remains one of the least-known chapters in the history of this stretch of the Elizabeth River.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
