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  • March

    NORFOLK, Va. -- James Baird Quinn became the commander of the Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in late 1899. Quinn carried out work recommended by the Endicott Board, which had evaluated coastal defenses, and oversaw improvements to the harbor at Norfolk. (U.S. Army photo)

    Norfolk 135: James B. Quinn

    James Baird Quinn; born June 9, 1843; emerged from the U.S. Military Academy as a second lieutenant in 1866, the same year President Andrew Johnson formally declared an end to the U.S. Civil War.

  • December

    NORFOLK, VA. -- Edward Burr was Norfolk's sixth commander. While in command of the Norfolk U.S. Engineers Office, Capt. Edward Burr oversaw improvements to the inland water route (Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal) from Norfolk, Virginia to Albemarle Sound, North Carolina. These improvements included logging and dredging operations on the North Landing River, as well as straightening the river and making it 80 feet wide and 9 feet deep. The Norfolk Office also removed multiple sunken vessels near Thimble Shoals and off the coast of Cape Charles, Virginia. The Norfolk staff performed a preliminary examination of the harbor at Petersburg,Va. and the Appomattox River, and found the plan to divert the waters of the old North Chanel above Petersburg to prevent shoaling of the harbor and navigable channel not worthy of improvement.

    Norfolk District 135: Edward Burr

    Edward Burr served as the sixth commander of the Norfolk U.S. Engineers Office. While in command, oversaw improvements to the inland water route (Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal) from Norfolk, Virginia to Albemarle Sound, North Carolina. These improvements included logging and dredging operations on the North Landing River, as well as straightening the river and making it 80 feet wide and 9 feet deep.

  • July

    NORFOLK, Va. -- Charles B. Phillips was the first officer in charge of what would later become the Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He took command on July 1, 1879, and as the Engineer in Charge of the United States Engineer Office in Norfolk, he supervised improvements of the Norfolk Harbor and its approaches, which are known collectively today as the Port of Virginia. The Norfolk Office at that time was located in Room #2 of the Custom House in Norfolk. He died on June 14, 1881, at the age of 41, while still in command of the Norfolk office. (U.S. Army photo)

    Norfolk District 135: Charles B. Phillips

    Editor’s note: Beginning July 1, 2014, Norfolk District celebrates its 135 Anniversary. Stay with us throughout the year as we look back at our former commanders, completed projects and distinguished employees. On July 1, 1879, Capt. Charles B. Phillips became the Engineer in Charge of the United States Engineer Office in Norfolk, which was the predecessor to the Norfolk District.