DIVER DOWN - Life and lore beneath the waves…

What Lies Beneath
Standing along the shore where the Iron Steamer Resort and Pier once stood in Pine Knoll Shores, you can sometimes spot her in the water - the remains of the SS Pevensey, a Civil War blockade runner which was run ashore more than 140 years ago. The shipwreck lies only about 100 yards from shore. At low tide if the water is calm, you can catch a glimpse of the steamer’s portside paddlewheel hub sticking up out of the ocean.

The Pevensey (spelled and pronounced Prevensey by many locals) was built by Charles Lungley of Deptford, England as a blockade runner for the firm Stringer, Pembroke and Co. of London. Pevensey was an iron-hulled, side-wheel steamer, weighing in at more than 540 tons. By account, Pevensey measured 210 feet long and 24 feet wide with two masts, five bulkheads and paddlewheels 25 feet in diameter. Pevensey was said to have an innovative “feathering paddlewheel” system which angled the paddles so each would strike the water with less splash, meaning less noise and better use of engine power.

The Pevensey was dispatched by Stringer under contract with the Confederate government. The contract called for ownership of the vessel to be transferred to the Confederacy after profits from her voyages paid for the cost of her construction, which, at the time of her being run ashore, had not yet happened.

She was headed for the Confederate port of Wilmington in June 1864, with fate nipping at her heels. Pevensey had previously made three successful blockade runs earlier in the year, and was on her fourth. On the morning of June 9, 1864, the Pevensey met her fate at the hands of the Union supply ship New Berne. Excerpts from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion provide this account:

Destruction of the Blockade Runner Pevensey
Report of acting Lieutenant Harris, U.S. Navy
From the U.S.S. New Berne
Hampton Roads, Virginia June 16, 1864

Sir, I have the honor to report the stranding, on the 9th instant, of the blockade runner Pevensey under the following circumstances:

3:30 a.m., steering N.E. by N., Beaufort 45 miles distant, made a steamer bearing N.E. by E., 4 miles distant, running slow and heading E.N.E.; she being the eastward did not immediately discover this vessel. When gaining on her within 2-1/2 miles, she made all speed, steering E. Opened fire and stood E. by N. The second shot carried away the forward davit of her quarter boat. She immediately changed course, steered N., and struck the beach nine miles west of Beaufort at 8:05am. Her crew took to the boats at once, this vessel at the time being 1-1/2 miles distant. Ran into 3-1/2 fathoms, and within 100 yards of the strand she blew up.

Sent in three boats, boarded her, and found her engines and boilers completely blown out. Plugged up the pipes; anchored in three fathoms, and made arrangements to pull her off. Recalled boats and arrived at Beaufort at 11am, anchoring outside too late for the tide.

One prisoner was found onboard the vessel, unharmed from the explosion, who proved himself to be an escaped prisoner from Johnson’s Island, of Morgan’s guerillas. One body was found upon the beach, and 25 prisoners were captured on the shore by the cavalry, three of whom are supposed to be Confederate officers. She was loaded on Confederate account, cargo consisting of arms, blankets, shoes, cloth, clothing, lead, bacon and numerous packages marked to individuals. The prisoners captured ashore were held in Fort Macon, and the one secured on board was transferred by order of Commander Dove.

I have learned since leaving Beaufort that the reputed mate is the real captain; that he is a Captain Long, a citizen of New York and having formerly commanded a ship from there.

It will not now be possible to get the vessel off, but a large amount of the cargo can be saved, if properly guarded.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
T.A. Harris,
Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Commanding

The NC Underwater Archaeology Branch examined the Pevensey in November 2000. The UAB noted that much of the ship’s machinery is visible underwater, but that more of the vessel could be buried. It was also noted that Pevensey is less well preserved than other local blockade-runner wrecks due to its close proximity to shore. SIDCO was then asked to conduct an archaeological survey of the ship in order to determine the condition of cultural material present. Though many of the SIDCO staff had looked forward to diving the Pevensey, they found its proximity to the Iron Steamer fishing pier had taken a toll. Lead sinkers were in every nook and cranny of the wreck and debris - golf balls, cameras, sunglasses, even a complete tackle box -overwhelmed the site’s true cultural value.

Though the Iron Steamer Resort and Pier, which took its name from the Pevensey, is no more, the site of the Pevensey is still noted with a state marker along NC58.

Read more feature articles in the print edition of Waterfront Magazine.