PORTSMOUTH, Va., city and county-seat of Norfolk County, occupies the western or mainland side of the harbor of Norfolk-Ports mouth, where the larger rail systems of the South — the Southern Railway, Atlantic Coast Line Railroad and Seaboard Air Line Railway — have their deep water terminals; other lines serving Portsmouth are the New York, Phila delphia and Norfolk (Pennsylvania System), Chesapeake and Ohio, Virginia, Norfolk and Western and Norfolk Southern. Norfolk which lies just across the harbor is connected by a commodious steam ferry which runs at 10 minute intervals, also by railroad ferries. The city is governed by a council of seven, one of whom is the chairman and in all re spects is mayor, excepting he is without the power of veto. The council selects a manager and the people expect results. This new form of government took effect 1 Sept. 1916. Real estate and personal valuations total $15,297,507, which together with railroad property assess ments and the government holdings bring the total to $32,297,507. Portsmouth was named for the city of that name in England. Its most notable feature is the navy yard; although situated within seven blocks of the heart of Portsmouth, it is officially known as the Nor folk navy yard. Built by the British in the 18th century, it was purchased by the United States in 1801. Burned by the Federals in 1861, it was rebuilt by the Confederates and held by them until Portsmouth was reoccupied by the Federals near the close of the war. It is now the most important and largest in the country, occupies 350 acres, has three large drydocks and another has been authorized by Congress.
General travel is facilitated by the centring in this harbor of five other roads and numerous steamship and steamboat lines, while foreign transportation is represented by many of the great trans-Atlantic lines. It is estimated by the United States government that the value of the traffic passing through the harbor during the fiscal year 1915 approximated in value $1,373, 142,923 and represented a tonnage of 36,433,935. Exports during the same period totaled $20, 000,000 and imports nearly $4,000,000. Seventy five manufacturing concerns representing 42 industries have sprung up within a compara tively short period, due to a manufacturing zone that followed the building of a belt line railroad to facilitate the interchange of freight between the eight rail lines. Cotton seed oil products, soap for textile purposes, talcum powder, creo soted conduits, underwear, hosiery, excelsior, butter dishes, copper smelting, cotton seed hull products, blotting paper, paper boxes, dyeing, box shooks, etc., are among the many items that are manufactured here. Portsmouth con tains a naval training station, a naval maga zine and a United States Naval Hospital and park; also the King's Daughters Hospital, armory, public library, orphanages, homes for the aged, a Y. M. C. A. building, Trinity Church, built in 1762 and several large commercial structures. Pop. 39,658.