From March 3rd ENC.com
The CSS Neuse II has a new president, John Nix, who wants to use the ship to help Kinston, North Carolina's tourism. This full-sized replica of the original is definitely an impressive sight to see in downtown Kinston. Up to 5,000 visit the ship annually, and many more view it. At present, it is only open on the weekends.
The ship history goes back to 2002 when Alton Stapleford and the late Ted Sampley spearheaded efforts to make the 158-foot-long ironclad reality.
It is still a project in progress and now most of the interior work is completed. Soon, two replica cannons will be mounted inside the ship. However, they have had problems with exterior fiberglass which has cracked and allowed leakage to get inside.
Presently, the foundation is working on a pier structure to resemble what it was tied up to in the nearby Neuse River. Plans also call for a cannon to be mounted outside the ship.
Hoping to Visit It and Go Inside This Month When I Go back to North Carolina for the Bentonville 145th Reenactment. --Old B-Runner
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