During the War of 1812, it was the scene of the bloody Battle of Craney Island on June 22, 1813.
The British had launched a ground attack to retake the area and the state of Virginia and 1,500 British soldiers took part in the effort according to historian W.H.T. Squires.
In February 1813, a very impressive British squadron of ships showed up and sailed through the Virginia capes to blockade the Chesapeake Bay. This greatly alarmed residents all through the area. Fortifications were hastily thrown up. Men from all over joined up, including mountain men from the western frontier came to offer their help.
The British had fifty barges, led by the 52-foot barge called the Centipede. Within a short time, all the barges were sunk. British losses were very heavy, but not one single American was lost, however one soldier was killed by a careless sentry who tried to celebrate the victory by lighting up a pipe in the powder magazine.
General Robert Taylor and Captain Arthur Emmerson were heroes of the battle. Taylor, of Norfolk, threw a floating barrier across the mouth of the Elizabeth River. He ordered a fort to be built, and earth mounds to be dug for the attack on Craney Island.
Emmerson, of Portsmouth, formed a militia and became the captain of the Portsmouth Light Artillery Blues. His group's artillery fire on the British was particularly devastating.
--Brock-Perry
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