ODYSSEY OF AN IRONCLAD

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2 For Immediate Release: ODYSSEY OF AN IRONCLAD April 17-18, 2010 The Washington County Historical Society along with the Port o Plymouth Museum is pleased to announce a brand-new Civil War Living History in Motion project. Entitled ODYSSEY OF AN IRONCLAD- THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY OF THE CSS ALBEMARLE, a working replica of the ironclad crewed by a local group of Confederate Naval Re-enactors, will retrace the ironclad s perilous April 1864 race down the treacherous Roanoke River to Plymouth and a place in the annals of Naval History. The two-day journey will begin on the morning of Saturday, April 17 th near Scotland Neck, which was the birthplace of the cornfield ironclad. The landowner, Peter Evans Smith, is regarded as the key figure in facilitating construction of the ironclad under the most adverse and urgent conditions imaginable, and used his well-known mechanical genius to invent what we know today as the modern twist drill bit during the Albemarle s construction. This invention was born out of the urgency of completing the armor plates, and cut down the time of drilling each hole from 20 minutes to 4 minutes! Modern calculations have estimated that the time saved on drilling would equal one year. The CSS Albemarle will depart at 10:00 am from Edwards Ferry, (the boat ramp at the foot of Hwy 258 bridge at Scotland Neck), and begin the journey down the Roanoke River to her home port in Plymouth, arriving late on Sunday afternoon. Another fascinating, but little-known story is of the quest by Capt. James W. Cooke to secure enough iron to complete the armor plates. It is documented that he scoured the Roanoke River Valley in search of donations of iron objects for the cause. When he ran out of willing donors, the metal was procured, (at gunpoint when necessary); earning him the nickname Iron Monger Captain. Other key figures include: Gilbert Elliott, the 19-year old shipbuilder/engineer who was awarded the construction contract- (in fact, the 2010 maiden voyage is dedicated to the memory of his descendent, Robert Elliott, author of the Ironclad of the Roanoke ; who passed away on Christmas Eve 2009). A faithful participant in Living History Weekend, Mr. Elliott s presence will be greatly missed. In addition, Catherine Devereux Edmondston, who was a neighbor of the Smiths and kept a detailed diary chronicling the construction project and noting the events that were going on around the area; and Benjamin Gray, the 12-year old African- American youth from Bertie County who enlisted with the Confederate Navy as part of the CSS Albemarle s crew are examples of the grassroots participants in the making of this most unique history. Most people are familiar with the Battle of Plymouth and Battle of Batchelor s Bay (Sandy Point), and the eventual destruction of the Albemarle by Lt. William Barker Cushing. The History Channel produced a feature documentary film titled: The Most Daring Mission of the Civil War ; which focused on these high-profile happenings. The goal of this project includes a

3 broader scope which is to chronicle the amazing series of events and intriguing cast of characters involved in the nearly miraculous feat of building the CSS Albemarle in the most adverse of conditions and getting her underway; culminating in her amazing resilience in battle which has led to her recognition as the most successful ironclad of the Civil War. It is a true underdog tale, so much so that once the rest of the story is understood, no matter what side of the conflict one s ancestors supported, the sheer magnitude of the accomplishment is to be appreciated. This effort strives to illustrate the interconnection and interdependence of the inhabitants of the Roanoke River villages and towns, and how even today the links are being re-discovered and re-connected through the research and documentation of the most unique and fascinating history of this sometimes obscure rural landscape. The past, present and future are intertwined and held together in perpetual continuity by the dark and mysterious Roanoke River and her many tributaries, branching off like many twigs on a giant family tree. The Odyssey is regarded as a family reunion of sorts, connecting the branches of the CSS Albemarle family from both the upper and lower regions of the Roanoke River for the first time in 146 years. The public programs will include, but include a stop and overnight encampment at Hamilton on Saturday with a public presentation from 3:00-5:00 pm. and a program at the wharf at Moratoc Park in Williamston from 1:00-2:30 Sunday afternoon, before completing the voyage to home port in Plymouth. Potential vantage points along the river route include the Edwards Ferry bridge, the boat ramp in Hamilton, Fort Branch, Moratoc Park in Williamston, the boat ramp in Jamesville, and the waterfront in Plymouth. More on the CSS Albemarle is posted at GOWILDNC.COM and LIVINGHISTORYWEEKEND.COM. The Odyssey is a prelude to the 20 th Anniversary of the Battle of Plymouth Living History Weekend in Plymouth, an extremely popular event which will be held the following weekend, April 24 & 25. Plans are in place to repeat the Odyssey of an Ironclad in an expanded format to coincide with the 150 th anniversary in April of 2014, as part of the Civil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration. Washington County Tourism Development (chamber@washconc.org) Port o Plymouth Museum (Washington County Historic Society)

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6 Make History! April 17-18, 2010 The most successful ironclad of the Civil War, was the CSS Albemarle. Join us along with UNC TV for a two day voyage down the Roanoke River alongside the 63 CSS Albemarle replica as it makes the first ever commemorative journey from Scotland Neck where the original Albemarle was built to Plymouth where she first defeated the Union Navy in The 36 passenger pontoon boat, Phoenix will accompany the Albemarle on the two day Odyssey. $85 per person including Lunch on Sat. and Sun. For a schedule and More Info. Call: Tom Harrison