tween the two, which would have placed the ram at a great disadvantage, if not altogether at his mercy; hut Captain Cooke ran the ram close to the southern shore, and then suddenly turning toward the middle of the stream, and going with the current, the throttles, in obedience to his bell, being wide open, he dashed the prow of the Albemarle into the side of the Southfield, making an opening large enough to carry her to the bottom in much less time than it takes to tell the story. Part of her crew went down with her.
The chain-plates on the forward deck of the Albemarle became entangled in the frame of the sinking vessel, and her bow was carried down to such a depth that water poured into her port-holes in great volume, and she would soon have shared the fate of the Southfield, had not the latter vessel reached the bottom, and then, turning over on her side, released the ram, thus allowing her to come up on an even keel. The Miami, right alongside, had opened fire with her heavy guns, and so close were the vessels that a shell with a ten-second fuse, fired by Captain Flusser, after striking the Albemarle rebounded and exploded, killing the gallant man who pulled the lanyard, tearing him almost to pieces. Notwithstanding the death of Flusser, an attempt was made to board the ram, which was heroically resisted by as many of the crew as could be crowded on the top deck, who were supplied with loaded muskets passed up by their comrades below. The Miami, a very fast side-wheeler, succeeded in eluding the Albemarle without receiving a blow from her ram, and retired below Plymouth, into Albemarle Sound.
Captain Cooke having successfully carried out his part of the programme, General Hoke attacked the fortifications the next morning and carried them. . . . During the attack the Albemarle held the river front, and all day long poured shot and shell into the resisting forts with her two guns.
COMMANDEE C. W. FLUSSER, U. 8. N. In command of the “ Miami.” (Killed.)
CAPTAIN J. W. COOKE, C. S. N. Commander of the “Albemarle.”
THE FIRST BATTLE OF THE CONFEDERATE RAM “ALBEMARLE.”
BY HEE BUILDER, GILBERT ELLIOTT.
Volunteer aide to the commander of the ram during the engagement described.
and Pilot John Luck and two of the few experienced seamen on board volunteering their services, we set forth in a small lifeboat, taking with us a long pole, and arriving at the obstructions proceeded to take soundings. To our great joy it was ascertained that there was ten feet of water over and above the obstructions. This was due to the remarkable freshet then prevailing; the proverbial “ oldest inhabitant ” said, afterward, that such high water had never before been seen in Roanoke River. Pushingon down the stream toPlymouth, and taking advantage of the shadow of the trees on the north side of the river, opposite the town, we watched the Federal transports taking on board the women and children who were being sent avray for safety, on account of the approaching bombardment. With muffled oars, and almost afraid to breathe, we made our way back up the river, hugging the northern bank, and reached the ram about 1 o’clock, reporting to Captain Cooke that it was practicable to pass the obstructions provided the boat was kept in the middle of the stream. Captain Cooke instantly aroused his men, gave the order to get up steam, slipped the cables in his impatience to be off, and started down the river. The obstructions were soon reached and safely passed, under a fire from the fort at Warren’s Neck which was not returned. Protected by the ironclad shield, to those on board the noise made by the shot and shell as they struck the boat sounded no louder than pebbles thrown against an empty barrel. At Boyle’s Mill, lower down, there was another fort upon which was mounted a very heavy gun. This was also safely passed, and we then discovered two steamers coming up the river. They proved to be the Miami and the Southfield.
The two ships were lashed together with long spars, and with chains festooned between them. The plan of Captain Flusser, who commanded, was to run his vessels so as to get the Albemarle be-239
anchor about three miles above Plymouth, and a mile or so above the battery on the bluff at Warren’s Neck, near Thoroughfare Gap, where torpedoes, sunken vessels, piles, and other obstructions had been placed. An exploring expedition was sent out, under command of one of the lieutenants, which returned in about two hours, with the report that it was considered impossible to pass the obstru étions. Thereupon the fires were banked, and the officers and crew not on duty retired to rest.
Having accompanied Captain Cooke as a volunteer aide, and feeling intensely dissatisfied with the apparent intention of lying at anchor all that night, and believing that it was “then or never” with the ram if she was to accomplish anything, and that it would be foolhardy to attempt the passage of the obstructions and batteries in the daytime, I requested permission to make a personal investigation. Captain Cooke cordially assenting,
IN the spring of 1864 it was decided at Confederate headquarters that an attempt should be made to recapture Plymouth. General Hoke was placed in command of the land forces, and Captain J. W. Cooke received orders to cooperate with the Albemarle, an ironclad then nearly finished. Accordingly Hoke’s division proceeded to the vicinity of Plymouth and surrounded the town from the river above to the river below, and preparation was made to storm the forts and breastworks as soon as the Albemarle could clear the river front of the Federal war-vessels protecting the place with their guns.
On the morning of April 18th, 1864, the Albemarle left the town of Hamilton and proceeded down the river toward Plymouth, going stern foremost, with chains dragging from the bow, the rapidity of the current making it impracticable to steer with her head down-stream. She came to
BUILDING THE “ALBEMAKLE” AT EDWARDS’S FERRY.
THE
SINKING OF THE “SOUTHFIELD,” APRIL 18, 1861.