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Swansboro in Onslow County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
 

"Prometheus"

 
 
"Prometheus" Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Craig Swain, May 2, 2010
1. "Prometheus" Marker
Inscription.
First steamboat made in N.C. Built in 1818 by Otway Burns, privateer in War of 1812. Shipyard located 350 feet S.W.
 
Erected 1976 by Division of Archives and History. (Marker Number C-54.)
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War of 1812Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the North Carolina Division of Archives and History series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1818.
 
Location. 34° 41.258′ N, 77° 7.048′ W. Marker is in Swansboro, North Carolina, in Onslow County. It is at the intersection of West Corbett Avenue (State Highway 24) and Front Street, on the right when traveling east on West Corbett Avenue. Marker is best reached by parking in the lot on the north side of the road, and following the walking path along the White Oak River, under the bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Swansboro NC 28584, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Tidewater. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Col. John Starkey (here, next to this marker); Port Swannsborough (here, next to this marker); Huggins' Island Fort (a few steps from this marker); Hammocks Beach State Park (approx. 1.9 miles away); Huggins Island Battery
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(approx. 1.9 miles away); Hofmann Forest (approx. 14.6 miles away); James Melville Jones (approx. 14.6 miles away); Julius Valentine Hofmann (approx. 14.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Swansboro.
 
Also see . . .
1. "Prometheus". Moving North Carolina entry (Submitted on March 11, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.) 

2. Otway Burns - Shipbuilder and Privateer. Swansboro North Carolina History entry (Submitted on June 6, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.) 
 
Four Markers at Bridge image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Craig Swain
2. Four Markers at Bridge
Four markers stand at the Swansboro side of the bridge over White Oak River.
"Prometheus" image. Click for full size.
via Moving North Carolina, unknown
3. "Prometheus"
Otway Burns and "Snap Dragon" image. Click for more information.
via Town of Burnsville, unknown
4. Otway Burns and "Snap Dragon"
NC Miscellany blog entry
Click for more information.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,128 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on June 6, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.   3, 4. submitted on March 11, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.
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Jun. 14, 2026