FIRST BATTLE OF THE CONFEDERATE RAM “ALBEMARLE

BUILDING THE “ALBEMARLE” AT EDWARDS’S FERRY.

On the morning of April 18th, 1864, the Albe-marle left the town of Hamilton and proceededdown the river toward Plymouth, going stern fore-most, with chains dragging from the "bow, therapidity of the current making it impracticable tosteer with her head down-stream. She came toanchor about three miles above Plymouth, and amile or so above the battery on the bluff at Warren’sNeck, near Thoroughfare Gap, where torpedoes,sunken vessels, piles, and other obstructions hadbeen placed. An exploring expedition was sent out,under command of one of the lieutenants, whichreturned in about two hours, with the report thatit was considered impossible to pass the obstruc-tions. Thereupon the fires were banked, and theofficers and crew not on duty retired to rest.

Having accompanied Captain Cooke as a volun-teer aide, and feeling intensely dissatisfied withthe apparent intention of lying at anchor all thatnight, 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 pas-sage of the obstructions and batteries in the day-time, I requested permission to make a personalinvestigation. Captain Cooke cordially assenting,and Pilot John Luck and two of the few experi-enced seamen on board volunteering their services,we set forth in a small lifeboat, taking with us along pole, and arriving at the obstructions pro-ceeded to take soundings. To our great joy it wasascertained that there was ten feet of water overand above the obstructions. This was due to theremarkable freshet then prevailing; the proverbial“oldest inhabitant” said, afterward, that suchhigh water had never before been seen in BoanokeRiver. Pushing on down the stream to Plymouth,and taking advantage of the shadow of the treeson the north side of the river, opposite the town,we watched the Federal transports taking on boardthe women and children who were being sent awayfor safety, on account of the approaching bombard-ment. With muffled oars, and almost afraid to

PLAN OF THE ‘‘ ALBEMARLE.”

The Albemarle, built at Edwards’s Perry, on the Roan-oke , thirty miles below Weldon, by Gilbert Elliott, ac-cording to the plans of Chief Constructor John L. Porter,C. S. N., was of solid pine frame timbers, each 8x10inches thick, dovetailed together, and sheathed with4-inch plank. The Albemarle was 122 feet long, 45 feet

beam, and drew 8 feet. The Albemarle's shield, octago-nal in form, was GO feet long, and was protected bytwo layers of 2-inch iron plating. The prow, or “ram,’was of solid oak, plated with 2-inch iron, tapering toan edge. She had two engines of 200 horse-powereach.