Where did Newport News get its name?
No one knows for sure where Newport News got its name, but “Newportes Newes” first appears in the Virginia Company records in 1619, making it one of the oldest place names in the New World. The most widely accepted folktale is that our city is the namesake of Captain Christopher Newport, commander of Susan Constant, flagship of the three ship English fleet that landed on Jamestown Island in 1607. He made several voyages to Newport News in the early days of the Jamestown Colony, bringing “good news” of supplies and settlers. 10. Where can I see ships and/or visit a ship in Newport News? Ships can be viewed from many spots along downtown Newport News including Victory Landing Park which adjoins the Virginia Advanced Shipbuilding and Carrier Integration Center building; at Northrop Grumman Newport News (formerly Newport News Shipbuilding) as well as the Monitor-Merrimac Overlook and the James River Bridge. Various cruise operations do offer tours from the water, please contact the Visitor
