THE SHIPYARD

Although Portsmouth is technically her home, Portsmouth has not seen the Privateer Lynx in years. Launched in Maine in 2001, the replica of a local privateering ship cruises the waters of the world. We received a few photos from the designer recently (read on)

THE SHIPYARD

It's a rare day in the 21st century when a new privateer arrives in its home port. The recondstucted Lynx had such a day in October, 2001. Owner and builder Woodson Woods selected Portsmouth, NH because, he says, of its history as a privateering port -- and for its tax free status.

JOHN PAUL JONES

The first sloop of war Ranger was built at Portsmouth Harbor and shocked the British Isles in the American Revolution. The second tall ship Ranger was built in the minds of local historians, but launched only in their dreams.

MARITIME HISTORY

Legends of pirates at the Isles of Shoals persist, despite a lack of historical evidence. One band of pirates, however, were captured with their loot at Star Island. Author Clifford Beal tells the story in his revealing and highly readable new book "Quelch’s Gold".

MARITIME HERITAGE 

"I saw through flickering candlelight what presumably was the scarecrow. It was hidden under a thin blanket. Hesitantly, I walked toward the figure to uncover the blanket. When the figure’s intense gaze met mine the world stood still. Who are you? Who made you? Where did you come from?" – Karl Eric Svarskog

MARITIME HERITAGE

Historians take note. We find eBay to be among the most effective research tools available. By tracking items sold, and writing to sellers, we often discover details about the past that could never be learned in a library. Case in point, these purloined binoculars come with a fascinating story.

MAY 15, 1985 
Portsmouth, NH

The day the USS Albacore moved from the sea to dry land attracted thousands of viewers and the US Secretary of the Navy. There was a lot of waiting, a little bit of action. At the end of the day there was a large submarine stuck in the mud. Here is our minute-by-minute account.

MARITIME HERITAGE

Portsmouth’s little tall ship is now 25 – and expecting a baby. The gundalow Captain Edward Adams will continue sailing the Piscataqua, but plans are on the drawing board for a new wooden ship that will carry Seacoast passengers.

ATTN: RETIRED NAVY YARD WORKERS

Gor a good story about the history of submarine building and repair at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard? Send it along and we'll consider publishing your memories on this web page. Express Yourself to SeacoastNH.com via email.

THE SHIPYARD

A three-week strike at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is hard to imagine today -- yet it happened about 150 years ago. And it happened through one of those weird convolutions that only federal officials can get themselves into.