OCTOBER 27TH, 1864: A boat expedition commanded by Lt. William Barker Cushing sank the CSS Albemarle at Plymouth, on the Roanoke River, North Carolina. Cushing reported to Rear Admiral Porter on 30 October: "I have the honor to report that the rebel ironclad Albemarle is at the bottom of the Roanoke River."
In July the redoubtable Cushing, only 21 years old, had been sent to Washington by Rear Admiral Lee to discuss with the Navy Department his plans for sinking the Confederate ram. he proposed at the time two plans, one involving a boarding party to travel overland and attack with india rubber boats, and the other calling for two steam launches to approach the ram at its moorings on the Roanoke River.
Both plans envisaged the capture of the ram, since Cushing wanted to destroy her only if necessary. Secretary Welles assented to the plan, and gave the daring Cushing permission to proceed to New York to procure the necessary boats.
A Major Blow to the Confederacy. --Old B-R'er
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