Lenoir Wonder No. 4: The CSS Neuse II

With seven-and-a-half years of his life invested in CSS Ram Neuse replica, shipbuilder Alton Ray Stapleford experiences a mix of feelings when he steps back and looks at his work.

“Sometimes I can’t believe I did it,” Stapleford, 77, said of the life-sized replica of the Civil War ironclad that he and the other members of the CSS Neuse Foundation have worked since 2002 to build.

“And sometimes I just want to cuss it,” he added. “I’ve got seven-and-a-half years of my life in it.”

The 158-foot long replica was selected by readers of The Free Press as the fourth of the Seven Wonders of Lenoir County.

Stapleford, a retired master shipbuilder, has a long association with the CSS Neuse, which was built in Kinston and Lenoir County and sunk by Union forces in 1864.

He was among the many people who helped bring the remains of the ironclad out of the river 100 years later.

“Ever since we started digging it up, I’ve been involved (with) it,” Stapleford said.

He was brought onto the project by his son Tommy — who had asked his father since the age of 5 to build a replica of the ship — and the late Ted Sampley.

“We just always said, ‘Let’s build the Ram Neuse; let’s build the Ram Neuse,’” Stapleford recalled.

He estimated it has cost about $350,000 to $400,000 to build the replica, but it would cost even more were it not for those who volunteered their labor or donated items for the ship.

Fundraising for the project has been difficult since the beginning; the builders have depended on a mixture of grants and private donations.

“It’s a little tougher now because of the economy … we’re not getting the funds in like we were before,” Neuse Foundation Treasurer Jeff Stephens said.

Construction of the boat itself is complete. It sits at the intersection of South Herritage and Gordon Streets, near the entrance to Pearson Park.

A massive pier has been built, and now project leaders are working to build a carriage for a cannon set to be placed in the forward section that will be followed by another gun in the aft section and more on the grounds around the ship. Complete landscaping on the grounds and installation of a sprinkler system to allow Boy Scouts and other youth organizations to stay overnight is also in the Neuse II’s future.

David Anderson can be reached at 252-559-1077 or danderson@freedomenc.com.

The Free Press is unveiling the Seven Wonders of Lenoir County, as nominated and voted on by visitors to Kinston.com. Pick up a copy of Friday’s Free Press to see what was voted No. 3.

Monday — No. 7: Athletic fields at South Lenoir High School

Tuesday — No. 6: Neuseway Nature Center

Wednesday — No. 5: Neuse Sport Shop

Today — No. 4: CSS Neuse II

Friday — No. 3

Saturday — No. 2

Sunday — No. 1

The CSS Neuse II is open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. To arrange a tour for a group of three to five people or more, contact Jan Barwick at the Chamber of Commerce at 252-527-1131.

To donate, contact Jeff Stephens at 252-523-6742, or mail funds to:

CSS Neuse Foundation

PO Box 251

Kinston, NC 28502

50 cents per purchase of a barbecue sandwich combo at King’s Restaurant will be donated to the Neuse II.