I mentioned the plaque located at Big Daddy's Seafood Restaurant in Kure Beach which said this is where Union forces landed in the attacks on Fort Fisher. The guide said that that information was incorrect. The Navy Column landed at where Big Daddy's is today. The Army landed farther north at what is today Carolina Beach.
Located near the front of the Fort Fisher Visitors Center and Museum is a new Modern Greece blockade-runner display. Along with the history of the ship, there are other artifacts recovered from the wreck back in 1962, the 100th anniversary of its sinking.
In addition, there is a plate from the blockade-runner Kate which brought yellow fever to Wilmington in August 1862.
Of interest were examples of two types of coal burned in the steamers. One was bituminous, rather soft and dull, and the other anthracite, a shiny hard coal. Anthracite was by far the preferred coal to burn when running the blockade as it was essentially smokeless.and the runners did not want blockaders spotting their smoke and giving chase.
I Could Have Spent Lots More Time at Fort Fisher, But Sister Julie Was Not Enjoying It At All. --Old B-Runner
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