CSS Neuse

CSS Neuse - Confederate Ironclad gunboat

Construction

A contract for the construction on the CSS Neuse was signed on October 17, 1862 by the shipbuilding company of Thomas Howard and Elijah Ellis and the Confederate Navy. Work began in October on the bank across the Neuse River in North Carolina from the small village of Whitehall (present day Seven Springs). She was designed similarly to the CSS Albemarle. Her hull structure was 158 feet long by 34 feet wide made of mostly pine wood, abundant in the region. Many delays were incurred due to the lack of materials, mostly iron for he deck plating. The Confederate Army exercised priority over the Navy on use of the railroads.

Armament

She was fitted with 2 6.4 inch Brooke rifles (similar to a Parrott gun). Each weighed more than 12,000 pounds.

Naval Service

She was supposed to help with the battle for the confederates to recover New Bern, North Carolina. She was burned by her crew at Kinston, North Carolina in March 1865.