The wreck of the steamer A. P. Hurt lies in 15 feet of water in the Cape Fear River near Wilmington. It was launched in 1860 and sank in 1924. Apparently it plied the waters of the Cape Fear for most of its career, including the years of the Civil War.
It is owned by the state and on the National Register as part of an archaeological district of sunken ships and marine enterprises in the area.
It was built in Wilmington, Delaware, at a cost of $16,000 and became part of the Cape Fear Steamboat Line. It was built under the supervision of Captain A. P. Hurt and named after him. It was 118 feet long, had an 18 foot beam, weighed 125 tons and was both a passenger and freight boat.
It was powered by a sidewheel and had six state rooms and is described as having a steel hull.
In 1895, the Cape Fear River dropped suddenly, stranding steamers on land. This destroyed the steamer Cape Fear, but caused no damage to the A. P. Hurt.
I could not find any mention of what caused he ship to sink in 1924 or how much of it is left.
More to Come. --Old B-R
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
