318 NortH CaRoLina Troops, 1861-’65.

+
E. Smith, of Scotland Neck, North Carolina, invented en
made a twist-drill with which the work of drilling a hole
could be done in four minutes, the drill cutting out the iron
in shavings instead of fine powder.

For many reasons it was thought judicious to remove the
boat to the town of Halifax, about twenty miles up the river
and the work of completion, putting in her machinery, avin
ment, etc., was done at that point, although the actual finish-
ing touches were not given until a few days before going into
action at Plymouth. : c

Forges were erected on her decks, and blacksmiths and ear-

penters were kept hard at work as she floated down the river
to her destination.

Captain James W. Cooke, of the Confederate Navy, a na-
tive of North Carolina, was detailed by the department to
watch the construction of the vessel and to take command
when she went into commission. He made every ‘effort to
hasten the completion of the boat. He was a bold and gallant
officer, and in the battles in which he subsequently engaged
he proved himself a hero. Of him it was said that “he would
fight a powder magazine with a coal of fire,” and if such a
necessity could by any possibility have existed he would,
doubtless, have been equal to the occasion.

In the Spring of 1864 it had been decided at headquarters
that an attempt should be made to recapture the town of Ply-
mouth. General Hoke was placed in command of the land
forces, and Captain Cooke received orders to co-operate. Ac-
cordingly Hoke’s Division proceeded to the vicinity of Ply-
mouth and surrounded the town from the river above to the
river below, and preparation was made to storm the forts and
breastworks as soon as the Albemarle could clear the river
front of the Federal war vessels protecting the place with
their guns.

On the morning of 18 April, 1864, the Albemarle left the
town of Hamilton and proceeded down the river towards Ply-
mouth, going stern foremost, with chains dragging from the
bow, the rapidity of the current making it impracticable to
steer with her head down stream. She came to anchor about
three miles above Plymouth, and a mile or so above the bat-

Tue Ram “ALBEMARLE.” 319

Fs +
tery on the bluff at Warren’s Neck, near Thoroughfare Gap,
where torpedoes, sunken vessels, piles, and other obstructions
had been placed. An exploring expedition was sent out, un-
der command of one of the Lieutenants, which returned in
about two hours, with the report that it was considered impos-
sible to pass the obstruction. Thereupon the fires were
banked, and the officers and crew not on duty retired to rest.

Having accompanied Captain Cooke as a volunteer aide,
and feeling intensely dissatisfied with the apparent intention
of lying at anchor all that night, and believing that it was
“then or never” with the ram if she was to accomplish any-
thing, and that it would be foolhardy to attempt the passage
of the obstructions and batteries in the day time, I requested
permission to make a personal investigation. Captain Cooke
cordially assenting, and Pilot John Luck and two of the few
experienced seamen on board volunteering their services, we
set forth in a small lifeboat, taking with us a Iong pole, and
arriving at the obstructions proceeded to take sounding. To
our great joy it was ascertained that there was ten feet of
water over and above the obstructions. This was due to the
remarkable freshet then prevailing; the proverbial “oldest in-
habitant” said, afterwards, that such high water had never
before been seen in Roanoke river. Pushing on down the
stream to Plymouth, and taking advantage of the shadow of
the trees on the north side of the river, opposite the town, we
watched the Federal transports taking on board the women
and children who were being sent away for safety, on account
of the approaching bombardment. With muffled oars, and
almost afraid to breathe, we made our way back up the river,
hugging close to the northern bank, and reached the ram
about 1 o’clock, reporting to Captain Cooke that it was prac-
ticable to pass the obstructions provided the boat was kept in
the middle of the stream. The indomitable commander in-
stantly aroused his men, gave the order to get up steam, slip-
ped the cables in his impatience to be off, and started down
the river. The obstructions were soon reached and safely
passed, under a fire from the fort at Warren’s Neck which
was not returned. Protected by the iron-clad shield, to those
on board the noise made by the shot and shell as they struck