I
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.
II
City and unitary authority (pop., 2001: 186,704), geographic and historic county of Hampshire , southern England.
The seaport city is a major naval base and, with Southsea, a popular holiday resort. Located on the island of Portsea in the English Channel , Portsmouth was founded and received its first charter in 1194. A naval dockyard was established in 1496 and greatly expanded after 1698. Covering more than 300 acres (120 hectares), the dockyard is the city's main source of employment. Portsmouth suffered extensive damage from German bombing in World War II. Important industries are shipbuilding and aircraft engineering. The city was the birthplace of Charles Dickens .