Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 12.djvu/91



N June 3, 1863, Lieutenant Flusser, commanding the United States steamer Miami, in Albemarle sound, advised Rear- Admiral S. P. Lee, U. S. N., of the building of a new Confederate States ram, the Albemarle, at Edward's Ferry on the Roanoke river, 30 miles below Weldon. The United States navy department several times called the attention of the general in command of the United States forces on the sound to the construction of this vessel, and advised that as the United States ships could not reach her on account of the shallowness of the water, a land force be sent to burn her. This appeal was disregarded.

In the meantime the building of the vessel, subsequently named the Albemarle, went on under the most discouraging circumstances. There was not even a ship yard at Edward's Ferry; the timber had to be cut in the woods, workmen were scarce, there was no machine shop, and iron was almost unobtainable. Fortunately, Commander James W. Cooke, C. S. navy, was ordered to assist her builders, and take command of her when finished. She was simply a flat-bottomed boat, sharp at both ends. The prow was solid oak, plated with iron; her shield was slanting, and covered with railroad iron, which was sufficient, as after experience demonstrated. She carried two good guns, Brooke rifles. As the vessel went down in the --