Plymouth in Washington County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

CSS Albemarle

Photographed By Don Morfe, July 17, 2010

1. CSS Albemarle Marker

Inscription. The iron clad ram, the CSS Albemarle was the most successful Confederate ironclad of the Civil War and twice defeated the Union Navy. Build in a cornfield on the Roanoke River near Scotland Neck, the Albemarle played a pivotal role in the Battle of Plymouth by sweeping the 5 gunboats of the Union Navy from the Roanoke River on April 18, 1864. In that battle the Albemarle rammed and sank the USS Southfield. Also in the same battle, the Union Navy Commander, Charles Flusser, was killed when his own shell bounced off the Albemarle and back at his feet on the deck of his flagship, the USS Miami.

On May 5, 1864, during the Battle of Bachelors Bay, the Albemarle faced another seven Union gunboats. A four hour battle ensued. The Union fleet mounted 60 guns against the Albemarle’s 2 Brook Rifles and fired 557 shells at her, but could not sink the Albemarle!

The career of the CSS Albemarle came to an end five months later. She was destroyed on October 27, 1864 in the most daring commando raid of the way by 21 year-old US Navy Lieutenant William Barker Cushing who was avenging the death of his friend, Charles Flusser! During the night he steamed up the Roanoke River to Plymouth in a 30’ steam launch with a group of volunteers and, with a spar-mounted torpedo, sank the Albemarle.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these

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topic lists: War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is April 5, 1864.

Location. 35° 52.14′ N, 76° 44.898′ W. Marker is in Plymouth, North Carolina, in Washington County. Marker is on East Water Street. The marker is behind the Port O'Plymouth Roanoke River Museum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Plymouth NC 27962, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named CSS Albemarle (here, next to this marker); Battle of Plymouth (within shouting distance of this marker); Replica 6.4 inch Brooke Rifled Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker); Siege of Plymouth, NC (within shouting distance of this marker); Rt. Rev. Alfred Augustin Watson (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cushing’s Torpedo (about 500 feet away); Latham House (about 700 feet away); Washington County Courthouse (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Plymouth.

Also see . . . The Port o’ Plymouth Museum. (Submitted on September 1, 2021.)

Photographed By Don Morfe, July 17, 2010

2. CSS Albemarle Marker

Replica of the Ironclad Ram-CSS Albemarle

Photographed By Don Morfe, July 17, 2010

3. CSS Albemarle Marker

Port O'Plymouth Roanoke River Museum

Photographed By Don Morfe, July 17, 2010

4. CSS Albemarle Marker

Photographed By Don Morfe, July 17, 2010

5. CSS Albemarle Marker

Sign in the Museum-Awarded the Medal of Honor-MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION-DENNING, LORENZO Rank and organization: Landsman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1843, Connecticut. Entered service at: New York, N.Y. G.O. No.: 45, 31 December 1864. Citation: Denning served on board the U.S. Picket Boat No. 1 in action, 27 October 1864, against the Confederate ram Albemarle which had resisted repeated attacks by our steamers and had kept a large force of vessels employed in watching her. The picket boat, equipped with a spar torpedo, succeeded in passing the enemy pickets within 20 yards without being discovered and then made for the Albemarle under a full head of steam. Immediately taken under fire by the ram, the small boat plunged on, jumped the log boom which encircled the target and exploded its torpedo under the port bow of the ram. The picket boat was destroyed by enemy fire and almost the entire crew taken prisoner or lost.

Photographed By Don Morfe, July 17, 2010

6. CSS Albemarle Marker

Sign in the Museum-Awarded the Medal of Honor-MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION-HENRY WILKES Rank and organization: Landsman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1845, New York, N.Y. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 45, 31 December 1864. Citation: Wilkes served on board U.S. Picket Boat No. 1 in action, 27 October 1864, against the Confederate Ram, Albemarle, which had resisted repeated attacks by our steamers and had kept a large force of vessels employed in watching her. The picket boat, equipped with a spar torpedo, succeeded in passing the enemy pickets within 20 yards without being discovered and them made for the Albemarle under a full head of steam. Immediately taken under fire by the ram, the small boat plunged on, jumped the log boom which encircled the target and exploded its torpedo under the port bow of the ram. The picket boat was destroyed by enemy fire and almost the entire crew taken prisoner or lost.

Photographed By Don Morfe, July 17, 2010

7. CSS Albemarle Marker

The bell is in the Museum

Credits. This page was last revised on September 1, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 30, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 908 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on December 30, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.