Description

The 1/192 scale (12" long) CSS Albemarle is a VERY easy to construct model and perfect for beginners. The CSS Albemarle, a relatively small ironclad ram, was built at Edward's Ferry, North Carolina. Commissioned in April, 1864, under command of Commander J.W. Cooke CSN, she almost immediately went into action. On April 19th, 1864, Albemarle attacked ships off Plymouth, N.C., sinking USS Southfield and driving away USS Miami and two other gunboats. With their waterborne communications severed, the Union forces were forced to surrender Plymouth to the Confederates. On May 5th, Albemarle attacked another US Navy force consisting of five gunboats. USS Sassacus made a valiant effort to sink Albemarle by ramming, but she was badly damaged in return. Albemarle suffered only light damage and threatened the entire Union position on North Carolina's internal waters. On the night of October 27-28th 1864, Lt. William B. Cushing, USN took torpedo boat Picket Boat #1 up river to Plymouth and attacked Albemarle at her berth, sinking her with a spar torpedo. Following the re-capture of the town, Albemarle was re-floated, taken to Norfolk navy yard where she remained until sold.