n.
City (pop., 2000: 100,565) and seaport, southeastern Virginia, U.S. Located on the Elizabeth River opposite Norfolk , with Norfolk and Newport News , Portsmouth makes up the Port of Hampton Roads .
Founded in 1752 and named after Portsmouth , Eng., it was occupied by both British and American troops during the American Revolution . It was incorporated as a city in 1858. During the American Civil War the U.S. Navy Yard was evacuated by Union troops, allowing Southern troops access to stores of equipment; Portsmouth was recaptured in 1862. It is part of the U.S. military complex at Hampton Roads. Shipbuilding and ship repair are the main economic activities, augmented by various manufactures.