1 Mar 1901

Photo(s) dated 1 Mar 1901
Fitting-out basin, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 1 Mar 1901
2 Feb 1905

Photo(s) dated 2 Feb 1905
Machine shop, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 2 Feb 1905
17 Nov 1917

Photo(s) dated 17 Nov 1917
Norfolk Navy Yard Drydock No. 4, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 17 Nov 1917
16 Jun 1919

Photo(s) dated 16 Jun 1919
Pump No. 1, Drydock No. 4, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 16 Jun 1919
2 Mar 1931

Photo(s) dated 2 Mar 1931
USS Arizona upon completion of its modernization, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 2 Mar 1931, photo 1 of 2USS Arizona upon completion of its modernization, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 2 Mar 1931, photo 2 of 2
25 Sep 1935

United States
  • The keel of destroyer Helm was laid down at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States. ww2dbase [Helm | Portsmouth, Virginia | CPC]
27 May 1937

United States
  • Helm was launched at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States. ww2dbase [Helm | Portsmouth, Virginia | CPC]
Photo(s) dated 27 May 1937
Bagley-class destroyers Blue and Helm on 27 May 1937, the date of their launching, in Drydock #2 at Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States.


Photo(s) dated
Mahan-class destroyer USS Tucker leaving Norfolk Navy Yard after completion, 2 Mar 1937.
1 Feb 1940

United States Photo(s) dated 1 Feb 1940
Keel laying of battleship Alabama, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 1 Feb 1940
29 Jul 1940

United States
  • US President Franklin Roosevelt, Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox, and House Naval Affairs Committee chairman Carl Vinson arrived at Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, United States, via presidential yacht Potomac, for an inspection. After the navy yard, they also visited US Army's Langley Field and the Newport News Ship Building and Drydock Company. ww2dbase [Norfolk Navy Yard | Franklin Roosevelt | Portsmouth, Virginia | CPC]
31 Dec 1941

Photo(s) dated 31 Dec 1941
New Mexico at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 31 Dec 1941USS New Mexico, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 31 Dec 1941, photo 1 of 5USS New Mexico, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 31 Dec 1941, photo 2 of 5USS New Mexico, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 31 Dec 1941, photo 3 of 5
See all photos dated 31 Dec 1941
2 Jan 1942

Photo(s) dated 2 Jan 1942
President Hayes and USS New Mexico at Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 2 Jan 1942
8 Jan 1942

Photo(s) dated 8 Jan 1942
Wasp off the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States following overhaul, 8 Jan 1942
15 Feb 1942

Photo(s) dated 15 Feb 1942
Battleship Alabama being prepared for launching, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 15 Feb 1942
16 Feb 1942

United States
  • Battleship Alabama was launched at Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, United States, sponsored by Henrietta McCormick Hill, the wife of US Senator J. Lister Hill. ww2dbase [Norfolk Navy Yard | Alabama | Portsmouth, Virginia | CPC]
Photo(s) dated 16 Feb 1942
Launching schedule for battleship Alabama, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 16 Feb 1942Henrietta McCormick Hill, wife of Alabama senator Lister Hill, christening battleship Alabama at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 16 Feb 1942Launching of battleship Alabama, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 16 Feb 1942Battleship Alabama just after launch, Norfolk Naval Shipayrd, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 16 Feb 1942, photo 1 of 2
See all photos dated 16 Feb 1942
7 May 1942

United States
3 Jun 1942

Photo(s) dated 3 Jun 1942
USS North Carolina off Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 3 Jun 1942, photo 1 of 2USS North Carolina off Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 3 Jun 1942, photo 2 of 2
9 Jul 1942

United States
  • Survivors of German submarine U-701, sunk by a US Hudson aircraft two days prior off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, United States, were rescued by a US Navy flying boat; they were delivered to the naval hospital at Portsmouth, Virginia, United States for treatment. In the North Atlantic, U-172 sank US ship Santa Rita at 1624 hours; 4 were killed, 59 survived. In the middle of the Atlantic Ocean between Florida, United States and Morocco, U-66 sank Yugoslavian ship Triglav at 2042 hours; 24 were killed, 19 survived. ww2dbase [Second Happy Time | Portsmouth, Virginia | CPC]
20 Aug 1942

Photo(s) dated 20 Aug 1942
PT-109 stowed on board the Liberty Ship Joseph Stanton for transportation to the Pacific Ocean, Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, United States, 20 Aug 1942, photo 1 of 2PT-109 stowed on board the Liberty Ship Joseph Stanton for transportation to the Pacific Ocean, Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, United States, 20 Aug 1942, photo 2 of 2
16 Dec 1942

United States
6 Jan 1943

United States
15 Jan 1943

United States
7 Feb 1943

Photo(s) dated 7 Feb 1943
USS Alabama at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 7 Feb 1943
16 Feb 1943

United States
  • USS Ancon entered Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States to be converted to a combined headquarters and commications command ship. ww2dbase [Norfolk Navy Yard | Ancon | Portsmouth, Virginia | CPC]
26 Feb 1943

United States
  • USS Ancon's designation was officially changed from AP-66 to AGC-4 while undergoing conversion work at Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, United States. ww2dbase [Norfolk Navy Yard | Ancon | Portsmouth, Virginia | CPC]
15 Apr 1943

Photo(s) dated 15 Apr 1943
Portside broadside view of USS Yorktown (Essex-class) at Newport News, Virginia, United States, on her way to her commissioning ceremonies at Norfolk Navy Yard, 15 Apr 1943
21 Apr 1943

United States
  • USS Ancon's conversion work from cargo-passenger ship to combined headquarters and communications ship was completed at Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States. ww2dbase [Norfolk Navy Yard | Ancon | Portsmouth, Virginia | CPC]
Photo(s) dated 21 Apr 1943
USS Ancon, Portsmouth, Virginia, United Staes, 21 Apr 1943, photo 1 of 2USS Ancon, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 21 Apr 1943, photo 2 of 2
27 Apr 1943

Photo(s) dated 27 Apr 1943
USS Yorktown underway off Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 27 Apr 1943; note Measure 21 camouflage
23 Jul 1943

Photo(s) dated 23 Jul 1943
Heavy cruiser USS Chester shifting berths at Norfolk Navy Yard just after being floated out of drydock, 23 Jul 1943
9 Aug 1943

United States
19 Aug 1943

United States
20 Aug 1943

United States Photo(s) dated 20 Aug 1943
USS South Dakota, port bow view, Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, United States, 20 Aug 1943USS Alabama off Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Virginia, United States, 20 Aug 1943, photo 1 of 4USS Alabama off Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Virginia, United States, 20 Aug 1943, photo 2 of 4USS Alabama off Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Virginia, United States, 20 Aug 1943, photo 3 of 4
See all photos dated 20 Aug 1943
25 Nov 1943

Photo(s) dated 25 Nov 1943
Broadside view of USS Intrepid off Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 25 Nov 1943. Note the blank starboard side of the ship; later photos will show the addition of anti-aircraft gun sponsons.
29 Nov 1943

United States
19 Dec 1943

Photo(s) dated 19 Dec 1943
USS Hornet (Essex-class) laying off Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 19 Dec 1943 shortly after commissioning showing off her MS33/3a paint scheme. Photo 1 of 4.USS Hornet (Essex-class) laying off Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 19 Dec 1943 shortly after commissioning showing off her MS33/3a paint scheme. Photo 2 of 4.USS Hornet (Essex-class) laying off Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 19 Dec 1943 shortly after commissioning showing off her MS33/3a paint scheme. Photo 3 of 4.USS Hornet (Essex-class) laying off Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 19 Dec 1943 shortly after commissioning showing off her MS33/3a paint scheme. Photo 4 of 4.
24 Feb 1944

United States
  • Carrier Shangri-La was launched at the Norfolk Navy Yard in Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, sponsored by sponsored by Josephine Doolittle, wife of famed aviator James Doolittle. ww2dbase [Norfolk Navy Yard | Shangri-La | Portsmouth, Virginia | CPC]
Photo(s) dated 24 Feb 1944
Carrier Shangri-La launching ceremony, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 24 Feb 1944Carrier Shangri-La shortly after launching, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 24 Feb 1944; seen in the US Navy publication USS Shangri-La 1944-1945 cruise bookJosephine Doolittle, wife of James Doolittle, breaking a bottle of champagne at the launching ceremony of carrier Shangri-La, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 24 Feb 1944, photo 1 of 2; note yard commandant Rear Admiral Felix Gygax holding a microphone near the bottleJosephine Doolittle, wife of James Doolittle, breaking a bottle of champagne at the launching ceremony of carrier Shangri-La, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 24 Feb 1944, photo 2 of 2; note yard commandant Rear Admiral Felix Gygax holding a microphone near the bottle
4 May 1944

Photo(s) dated 4 May 1944
Stern view of the carrier Franklin off Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 4 May 1944
8 May 1944

United States
30 May 1944

Photo(s) dated 30 May 1944
Newly commissioned USS Ticonderoga moves down the Elizabeth River from the Norfolk Navy Yard to the deperming crib, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, May 30 1944; note camouflage Measure 33 Design 10AUSS Ticonderoga at Norfolk, Virginia, United States, 30 May 1944; note camouflage Measure 33 Design 10AStarboard quarter view of USS Ticonderoga on the Elizabeth River, Portsmouth, Virginia, Untied States, May 30, 1944.
22 Jul 1944

United States
  • USS Ticonderoga began her first overhaul at Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States. Her flight deck was to be reconfigured to add 11 feet forward and 7 feet aft, and her anti-aircraft directors were to be repositioned. ww2dbase [Norfolk Navy Yard | Ticonderoga | Portsmouth, Virginia | DS]
25 Aug 1944

United States
30 Aug 1944

United States
26 Sep 1944

Photo(s) dated 26 Sep 1944
United States Coast Guard cutter Spencer after her conversion to an Amphibious Force Flagship, Norfolk Navy Yard, Norfolk, Virginia, United States, 26 Sep 1944
21 Dec 1944

United States
27 Dec 1944

United States
3 Jan 1945

United States
20 Jan 1945

United States
  • While USS Honolulu was in drydock at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Captain Harry Thurber was relieved as commanding officer of the ship and assigned to the staff of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet in Washington DC. Commander Olin Scoggins assumed temporary command. ww2dbase [Honolulu | Portsmouth, Virginia | DS]
3 Feb 1945

United States
  • While USS Honolulu was in drydock at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Captain Olin Scoggins was relieved as commanding officer of the ship and Commander Theodore Ascherfeld assumed command. ww2dbase [Honolulu | Portsmouth, Virginia | DS]
23 Mar 1945

United States
  • After two-and-a-half months in drydock, USS Honolulu was floated out of Drydock #3 at Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia and moored at the repair piers. ww2dbase [Honolulu | Portsmouth, Virginia | DS]
15 Jun 1945

United States
  • While at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virgina, Captain Harold Pullen assumed command of USS Honolulu, relieving Commander Theodore Ascherfeld. ww2dbase [Honolulu | Portsmouth, Virginia | DS]
23 Aug 1945

United States
29 Aug 1945

Photo(s) dated 29 Aug 1945
USS Natoma Bay and USS Anzio at Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 29 Aug 1947
19 Sep 1945

United States
  • USS Honolulu got underway from the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia for one brief trial that took her to Cape Henry at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, before returning to the Navy Yard repair piers. ww2dbase [Honolulu | Portsmouth, Virginia | DS]
6 Oct 1945

United States
  • USS Honolulu got underway from the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia for structural test firing of all guns 30 miles into the Atlantic Ocean before returning to the Norfolk Navy Yard. ww2dbase [Honolulu | Portsmouth, Virginia | DS]
10 Oct 1945

United States
29 Nov 1945

United States
8 Nov 1946

United States
20 Jan 1950

United States
18 Oct 1951

United States
30 Mar 1952

United States
4 Aug 1952

United States
11 Jun 1954

United States
30 Jun 1954

United States
12 Jul 1954

United States
4 Mar 1955

United States
3 Apr 1956

United States
  • USS Conecuh was decommissioned from service at Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, United States and was transferred to the National Defense Reserve Fleet (James River Group, located at Lee Hall, Virginia near Newport News). ww2dbase [Norfolk Navy Yard | Dithmarschen | Portsmouth, Virginia | CPC]
6 Feb 1960

United States
7 Dec 2000

United States

Timeline Section Founder: Thomas Houlihan
Contributors: Alan Chanter, C. Peter Chen, Thomas Houlihan, Hugh Martyr, David Stubblebine
Special Thanks: Rory Curtis




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Famous WW2 Quote
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James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy, 23 Feb 1945


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