The Washington herald., 1914-04-19

iTonClad ram Albemarle, which had been
recently completed on the Roanoke
River in North Carolina. appeared among
the town OF Plymouth on the Roanoke
River. attacked them and sank the u. S.
S. Southfeld. whose captain. Lieut.. Com
mander Charles W. Flusser, L. s. N,
was killed in the action.
The appearance Of the Albemarle Caus-
ed CONSERVATION at Plymouth, for the
garrison there had been fighting COnfed-
crate troops for two days and with the
Albemarle in the river the surrender of
Plymouth was inevitable.
The Federals had no ironClad vessels
in the waters Of North Carolina and the
wooden gunboats could not cope with
the ram.
They might be destroyed by the Abe
marie one by one. The ram might then
cooperate in an attack on Newbern.
This was the most important point in
Federal hands in North Carolina, and
Gen. Grant had recently ordered that II
be held at all hazards" In Confederate
hands Newbern could be used as a port
for blockade runners The Albemarle
might even keep the port open. once II
was captured.
Such was the mischief that doomed up
in Federal minds with the appearance OF
the AIIbetmarle at Plymouth.
A Formidable Makeshift.
For a vessel causing so much con-
sternatiOn the AlbemaTle was at best but
formidable makeshift. Her construc-
ton was of the crudest. She had been
built Of unseasoned pine timber in
cornfield at Edwards Ferry on the Roa-
noke. forty miles above Plymouth and
thirty miles below Weldon. BY Gilbert
Elliott. a private contractor, from de-
signs by Chief Constructor John l. Por-
ter, of the Confederate navy. The work
OF construction was directed by Com
mander J. W. Cook. {. 5. n. who after
ward commanded the vessel The null
was l22 feet long and forty-five feet wide
with a roof-Iike casemate or shield sixty
feet long.
The construction was OF timbers sxlo
inches dovetailed together and COW
cred with 4-inch plank. The armor
consisted of two layers of 2-inch iron
plating. The boat had PROV OF OAK
timbers in the shape of wedge, plated
with iron.
The hull was designed TO draw eight
feet Of water and was driven by two
engines lldl "CiV NAPNNNNN -
200 horsepower each.
The most striking thing about the
vessels construction was the fact that
her builders had been able to complete
her with the materials to be obtained.
Their greatest need had been -irok
for plating. Commander Cook ran
sacked the South to secure iron. Every
sort Of scrap that could be secured was
used. The plates had been rolled at
Richmond and fitted in small black
smith shop beside the hull on the river
bank.
Boilers, engines. and other machin-
ery were even more difficult to obtain.
but a makeshift power plant was at
last installed.
The FederaIs knew the ram was
building, but made no efforts TO de-
stroy her.
when the Albemarle was launched
the vessel was far from completion.
Work was rushed on her day and night.
Gen. Robert F. Hoke, who was then
engaged in a movement against Ply
was anxious to secure the CO.
operation of the ram.
Down River stern First.
When the AIbemarle left the build
er's ward on the evening of April u
and dropped down to Hamilton, work
men were still busy on the hull. There
were no living accommodations on
board.
On the morning OF April is the ram
left Hamilton. Progress was slow. In
a few hours the machinery broke
down. A portable forge had been
brought along on a fiatboat. and with
It's aid repairs were effected in six
hours.
Another start being made. the rudder
head broke of and the ram became un-
Commander Cooke sue
,eeded in proceeding by dropping down
The river stern foremost with chains
Dragging from the bow to check the
ressers speed. the current being swift
md the stream narrow and crooked.
At 10 p. m. April Is the Albemarle
anchored three miles above Plymouth
The great question now was. could the !
am pass by the line of obstructions- |
billing and sunken hulks-that the Fed /
rails had nut across the channel above !
he town.
No word had been received from Gen
Hoke and Mr.. Eliot volunteered to go
,ut in a small boat with a pilot to COM
municate with him and examine the
The two men in the boat
found to their joy that there was ten
'eet of water over the distractions, owing
% the river being at freshet pitch. They
preceded in the shadow of the bank
iown the river and passed the Fed
,ral batteries, but did not remain to
eek Gen. Hoke. Returning to tho ship
after midnight. they reported that the
4 Ibemarie could pass the obstruCtiOns,
md at 2:39 in the morning the ram was
lgain put in motion. Her commander
vas anxious to pass the Federal bat
cries above Plymouth and engage the
,nemy before daylight. Much would de-
,end on good luck in the fight to follow.
Sot only was his ship hard to manage.
,ut in his crew OF about 100 men only
wenty were seamen. There had never
,een any drill at the two heavy guns
With which the ship was armed.
Below the obstructiens In tbs river