Ironclad Neuse Construction Document

[DaveBrt]

Below is my transcription of a document found in the North Carolina Archives, in the Major John D. Whitford papers. Whitford was the President of the Atlantic & North Carolina RR and Railroad Transportation Officer for North Carolina for most of the war. This collection and this document are not referenced in either Bright's CSS Neuse or Elliott's Ironclad of the Roanoke.

Kinston {N. C.}
Feb 9 1864 {might be Feb 1}

{From the text it is clear this was hand delivered by a messenger. It was found in the papers of John D. Whitford, who, as President of the Atlantic & North Carolina RR may have been addressed a Colonel. If sent to Whitford, it was probably sent to Goldsboro. The ship being built was probably the Neuse, which was built under Hoke's protection at Kinston and had its boiler installed in mid-February, 1864.}

Col.

Lieut Justin goes to see you about having the Boiler brought forward. All the iron here will be prepared for the boat to arrived & we are fitting it on as fast as the holes are drilled. Another machine will be arranged for drilling tomorrow & the work will go on more speedily, so you see how soon the iron will be mounted. The Engines are in the boat and we are now waiting for the boiler which please have brought forward at once. After it is gotten in this work will go on night and day. I ??? your despatch telling me that. ????? iron will be down in the morning for which I am obliged, but this will keep me going but a short time.
Commodore Lynch has the iron at Wilmington awaiting transportation.
He proposes to have the holes drilled there but I much prefer to have it done here as we are prepared for it and can do the work as fast as it is possible for the force to put it on. I put a party at work making coal in the morning so there can be no excuse for delay. I wrote you to try by mail but as I have to send up for steel write again.
Very Respectfully
Yours R Hoke
Brig Genl

 

[Story]

Saw this elsewhere, figured I'd share and this is as good a thread as any for Neuse additions.

The CSS Neuse Foundation is currently selling raffle tickets for chances on a custom-made, functional weather vane as a fund-raiser.
Each $5.00 donation merits one ticket - and one chance to win this unusual prize. Second prize is a hand-made red, white and blue afghan, created by bard member Carol Cantu. Third prize will be a CSS Neuse II tee-shirt and ball cap. The drawing will take place ...at 4 p.m. on Monday, July 4. You need not be present to win any of the prizes - but you MUST submit a working phone number so we make contact you if you win one of the prizes.
Please mail your donations to The CSS Neuse Foundation, Post Office Box 251, Kinston, NC 28502-0251. We will complete the ticket stub for you and mail the ticket to the return address on the envelope.
Please make sure to include:
Your name
Mailing address
Working Phone Number
Thank you in advance for your support. See More