Black History Now – The Dry Dock Affair

The Dry Dock Affair 1829-1831: African American Labor in America’s Shipyard

The Dry Dock Affair, 1829-1831: African American Labor in America’s Shipyard examines the history of both free and enslaved Black labor in the Gosport Shipyard during the 1830s. Dry Dock No.1 was completed in 1834 and became the first operational dry dock in the Western hemisphere, mere weeks before the dry dock in the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston. The contributions of Black laborers hastened the speed and efficiency with which the project was completed, giving Dry Dock No. 1 its historic status. This exhibit explores the tensions that developed between white and Black workers during this period, as well as the triumph and perseverance of one enslaved worker, George Teamoh, who later became a Virginia Senator and political activist. Come visit The Dry Dock Affair at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum, beginning February 19, 2025.