In the
Civil War, the
Confederate general Hoke, after capturing
Plymouth, proceeded to
Newbern and demanded its surrender.
The commander of the
Albemarle, a powerful “ram,” started out on
Albemarle Sound to assist
Hoke, when his vessel encountered (May 5, 1864) the
Sassacus,
Lieut.-Com. F. A. Rose, one of
Capt. Melancton Smith's blockading squadron in the sound.
the
Albemarle was heavily armed with
Brooks and Whitworth guns.
After a brief cannonade the
Sassacus struck the monster a blow which pushed it partly under water and nearly sank it. When the “ram” recovered, the two vessels
[
92]
hurled 100-lb.
shot at each other at a distance of a few paces.
Most of those from the
Sassacus glanced off from the
Albemarle like hail from granite.
Three of the shots from the
Sassacus entered a part of the “ram” with destructive effect, and at the same moment the
Albemarle sent a 100-lb.
Brooks bolt through one of the boilers of the
Sassacus, killing three mien and wounding six.
The vessel was filled with scalding steam and was unmanageable for a few minutes.
When the smoke and vapor passed away, the
Albemarle was seen moving towards
Plymouth, firing as she fled.
the
Sassacus slowly followed, but finally desisted for want of steam.
Hoke fell back from
Newbern.
