Andrew Sprowle


Andrew Sprowle was a merchant, British naval agent, and landowner in Portsmouth, Virginia, best known for establishing the Gosport Navy Yard, which is currently known as Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Sprowle emigrated from Scotland to what is currently the Commonwealth of Virginia in the mid-18th century, where he lived until his death in 1776.

Early life

Sprowle, after emigrating from Scotland, settled in Norfolk Borough around 1746, where opportunities for wealth were available in the soon-developing town of Portsmouth.
Sprowle's appearance remains unknown, owing to the fact that no portrait exists, however his family history is available in "Eight Centuries of the Spreull and Sproule Families". With regard to his early years in Hampton Roads, only fragments of court records remain to list ships and property that he owned.

Portsmouth, Virginia

Sprowle was well respected in the mercantile community, serving for 36 years as President of the Court of Virginia Merchants. According to Norfolk County Court records, he was listed as a merchant of Norfolk Borough in 1746, and in 1752 purchased Portsmouth lots from William Crawford, acquiring other town lots and extending his holdings within a few years across Crab Creek with several waterfront tracts in Gosport, including part of the site of what later became the Gosport Navy Yard, and was still buying Gosport property as late as 1772.
In 1763, Portsmouth underwent its first annexation, expanding the western boundary. The same year, an early governing body of Town Trustees were named, including Andrew Sprowle, George Veale, Thomas Veale, Charles Steuart, Humphrey Roberts, Francis Miller, James Rae, David Purcell and Amos Etheridge.

Gosport Shipyard

Sprowle founded the Gosport Navy Yard in 1767 under the British flag. The shipyard is now known as Norfolk Naval Shipyard, and is the United States Navy's oldest continually operating shipyard, predating the U.S. Department of the Navy by 31 years.

Revolutionary War

Sprowle's contributions during the American Revolutionary War were largely to provide material support for the British Royal Navy. Early in the War, the Elizabeth River was occupied by the ships of Lord Dunmore, Royal Governor of Virginia, where Dunmore was hosted by Sprowle, a personal friend and Tory supporter, at his residence, resulting in Gosport being "virtually the Royal capital of Virginia."
On the defensive, Dunmore established martial law and fortified his position in Virginia. He was later driven from the area by the Continental Army during the Battle of Great Bridge.

Death

Sprowle attempted to flee the Commonwealth of Virginia on May 25, 1776, after it fell to the Continental Army, but was unsuccessful. Following Dunmore's retreat from Portsmouth in May 1776, Sprowle was exiled along with other Royalists to Gwynn's Island, where he died five days thereafter and was buried in an unmarked grave.