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Commander: Midshipman F. M. Harris

Original name: M. C. Etheridge

Tonnage: 144 tons

Rig: Wood hull sail schooner

Dimensions: 92’ x 24’10” x 7’; 7’ draft

Built/Year: Plymouth, NC; 1859

Home Port: Plymouth, NC

Description: 1 deck, trunk cabin, 2 masts, square stern

Owner(s): J. H. Etheridge; J. M. Beasley, master

Armament: 2 - 32 pdr. smooth bores, 42 cwt.

 

 

 

Service Record

·        Served as commissary ship during the battle of Roanoke Island, NC, 7-8 February 1862

·        Served as a floating battery during the battle of Elizabeth City, NC, 10 February 1862

·        Burned to prevent capture during battle of Elizabeth City

 

 

The M. C. Etheridge was engaged in hauling wood to Roanoke Island when Flag Officer Lynch pressed her into service in early 1862. She was used a mail ship and commissary storehouse prior to the Battle of Roanoke Island. Two 32-pdr guns were mounted on her and she was used as a floating battery at the battle of Elizabeth City. She was burned there to prevent her capture. Her remains have been located. One of the gun carriages from the Black Warrior has been recovered and will be displayed at the Museum of the Albemarle after conservation work on the carriage is completed.

 

 

Site drawing courtesy of

NC Department of Cultural Resources

 

Sonar scan courtesy of Barry Cullens