PORTSMOUTH, a seaport-town of the United States of North America, state of New Hampshire, stands on the right bank of the Piscataqua river, about 3 miles above its mouth, 54 miles N. by E. of Boston. It occupies a fine situation on a peninsula in the river, and is connected by bridges with Kittery in Maine, on the opposite side. The streets are irregular and narrow, but some of them have handsome buildings, and are lined with trees. There are in the town an arsenal, two market-houses, eleven churches, many of them handsome buildings, numerous schools, an atheneum, with a museum, and a library of 10,000 volumes, a lunatic asylum, &c. The United States navy-yard, which occupies an island near the eastern bank of the river, is one of the most important and interesting establishments in the town. It contains three large ship houses, and a dry dock 350 feet long by 105 broad, constructed at a great expense. The harbour of Portsmouth, which is defended by two forts, is large, deep, and easy of access; so that in stormy weather many vessels take refuge in it. It is said to be capable of containing as many as 2000 ships. Manufactures are actively and extensively carried on in the town;
cotton, hosiery, ropes, shoes, iron-castings, &c., are the chief articles produced. Ship-building is also largely carried on; and the tonnage of the port, June 30, 1852, amounted to 16,654 registered, and 8237 enrolled and licensed. During the year ending at that date there entered from foreign countries 78 ships, tonnage 8493; and there cleared for foreign ports 64, tonnage 7466. In the same year the imports amounted to L.20,750, and the exports to L.13,940; and the duties collected to about L.6250. Pop. (1850) 9739; (1853) about 11,000.