CSS Neuse II Foundation names new president and board members

Looking forward, CSS Neuse II Foundation President John Nix said he sees Kinston’s Civil War ironclad replica playing an important role in the area’s tourism efforts.

Nix was named the foundation’s newest president last month and four new members were also selected to serve on the foundation’s nine-member board as well, including Eric Rouse, Eric Cantu, Charles Broadway and Bill Stevenson.

Beginning during 2002, Alton Stapleford and the late Ted Sampley spearheaded efforts to make the 158-foot ironclad replica a reality. Stapleford was honored last month for his work on the CSS Neuse II.

Nix helped design the replica’s layout at Herritage Street and continues to push the project forward in 2010.

“We want to work with this History Preservation Group, the Battlefield Commission and the new CSS Neuse museum when it opens to coordinate tours,” Nix said. “The CSS Neuse’s history is a big draw for Kinston.”

According to CSS Neuse II treasurer Jeff Stephens, up to 5,000 people visit the ironclad replica annually. Most of the replica’s interior work is completed and two cannons will soon be fitted for the vessel.

Nix said the foundation will soon kick off a capital campaign to raise funds for the ongoing maintenance and completion of Stapleford’s and Sampley’s vision for the site. This spring, a memorial will be completed at the site in honor of Sampley.

“It’s going to be a four-sided monument with a brick patio,” Nix said. “A naval flag pole will also be featured at the site.”

Recently, workers pitched in to help prevent leaks from damaging the replica’s interior. Stephens said some of the fiberglass roofing had cracked from extreme weather temperatures and some temporary patches were used to fix the leaks.

“It’s not leaking anymore,” Stephens said. “We plan to put a new roof coating on it that has a 20-year warranty.”

Stephens and Nix agreed that they would like to see the replica open more to the public and would like to see more tour groups from schools visit.

“We have it open on Saturdays,” Nix said. “We need more volunteers to help run the tours.”

A pier was constructed last year next to replica. Stephens said they will need additional funds to complete the pier work.

“The pier makes it look like the CSS Neuse II is on the river tied up to dock,” Stephens said. “We plan to put ropes on each side of the pier and let people walk down. I’d like to see some electric lanterns on the pier’s post.”

Another plan for the site in coming months is to build a cannon gun placement at the corner of the lot identical to what was used to defend the original CSS Neuse while it was docked in the late 1860s.

“We don’t have the funding to do everything,” Nix said. “We are going to apply for grants to help us. We can’t rely only on community funding from individuals. That isn’t fair.”

Nix said a foundation board member has taken grant-writing classes recently and will work in the coming months to apply for available grants.

The CSS Neuse II is one of a kind — it’s the only full-scale replica of a Civil War ironclad in the world. The original CSS Neuse was built and completed during April 1864, finding its way to Kinston where it was used to defend the region from a Union attack at the Battle of Southwest Creek during March 1865.

The Confederates destroyed the CSS Neuse to prevent capture, setting a charge to sink the vessel during the Battle of Southwest Creek.

What remained of the original CSS Neuse was recovered from the Neuse River in 1963. The original CSS Neuse is on display at West Vernon Avenue at a state historical site. About 100 crew members served on the ironclad, which included six officers and a captain.

Chris Lavender can be reached at 252-559-1078 or clavender@freedomenc.com.

CSS Neuse history

Construction started in 1861 and completed 1864

Participated in Battle of Southwest Creek in March 1865

Sunk by Confederates to prevent capture

Recovered from Neuse River in 1963

Local efforts to build replica CSS Neuse II begin in 2002

CSS Neuse II construction completed in 2005

Capital campaign kicks off for maintenance and education programs 2010