Drydock Number One, Norfolk Naval Shipyard


Drydock Number One, Norfolk Naval Shipyard is the oldest operational drydock facility in the United States. Located in Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia, it was put into service in 1834, and has been in service since then. Its history includes the refitting of, which was modified to be the Confederate Navy ironclad. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1971.

Description and history

Drydock Number One is located on the west side of the central branch of the Elizabeth River. It measures in length, and is built of Massachusetts granite, stepped to allow access to and bracing of ships under repair. Stairs at the land end provide access to the various levels. The drydock can accommodate a maximum vessel length of with a beam. Depth is. the dock can be dewatered in 40 minutes and flooded in 90 minutes.
The drydock was built between 1827 and 1834, and cost $974,365.65, a very high price at that time. It may have been designed by Loammi Baldwin, Jr., then the Navy's superintendent of drydocks, and its construction was overseen by William P. S. Sanger, a civil engineer. The drydock was first used in June 1833, when was drydocked for recommissioning, the first time a large vessel was drydocked in the United States. During the American Civil War the shipyard was taken over by the Confederate Navy, and it was here that was modified to become the ironclad. It is now primarily used for service craft.