North Carolina’s tourism website posts this information about the CSS Neuse II:
“The CSS Neuse II is the only full-scale Civil War replica in the world! Built as a community project, step aboard the CSS Neuse II and experience the life of a Civil War sailor.”
Three items in that description should stand out. First, the Kinston-Lenoir County community has a one-of-a-kind, full-scale replica of a Confederate gun boat. Second, the CSS Neuse II stems from community effort. Third, the gunboat allows visitors into the experiences of a 19th century sailor.
But as with most things in life, merely having such an attraction is only part of the community’s challenge. The real challenge, now that the structure is built, is to finish the inside, maintain its integrity, and make sure it is properly insured.
All those items take money.
The largest fundraiser for the Neuse II is coming up on Aug. 16. “Wings over the Neuse” is a fundraiser offering plates of chicken wings with the trimming for a donation of $5. Volunteers will begin serving plates at 11 a.m. and will sell plates until no wing is left standing.
However, this fundraiser does not depend on wing sales alone. Another feature is sponsorship.
Any business or individual who gives at least $100 can become a sponsor. Benefits of sponsorship include exposure of the names of individuals and businesses on banners for two weeks before the Aug. 16 event. The second bonus is volunteers will deliver five plates to the address of the sponsor’s choice on that day — to the business or to some other location.
Why is this fundraiser necessary? Imagine the costs of providing liability as well as property and casualty insurance for a 156-foot ship open to the public for tours. In addition, the CSS Neuse Foundation must foot the bill (either with money or sweat equity) for electricity, lawn care, and maintenance.
Even though the CSS Neuse II only opens for tours from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays and by appointment, dozens of people come to visit this attraction on any given Saturday.
While I was on the tour, a family of four or five came in, and then in just a few minutes, another family of four entered. By the end of the tour, two more families were waiting. I checked the guest book: Texas, North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina. Plainly put, the Neuse II is drawing attention from tourists.
And even though I know something about the gunboat, I learned even more. Tour guide Charlie Broadway talked at some length about the 6.4-inch Brooke rifled cannon, explaining how the cannon was loaded, aimed, and fired — especially within the close quarters of the casemate.
Although the gunboat has only one replica Brooke gun, the original CSS Neuse had two — the barrel of each weighing in at 11,000 pounds.
I also learned sailors were two to a bunk in the sleeping quarters. Sailors also “hot bunked” — when two sailors rose for duty, two others took their place.
Sponsorships and support from the community enable the CSS Neuse II to continue to serve as an educational artifact, a window into the past.
So when you are approached about sponsoring “Wings over the Neuse,” please say yes.
If you want to be a sponsor, you can send your donation of $100 or more to: The CSS Neuse Foundation, P.O. Box 251, Kinston, NC 28502-0251. Deadline for sponsorship recognition is July 26.
Remember: the CSS Neuse Foundation is a 501(c)3 foundation.
Do not forget to come by for delicious wings on Aug. 16 to help the CSS Neuse Foundation reach its highest fundraising total ever.
You will be making an investment in our community.
Mike Parker is a columnist for The Free Press. You can reach him at mparker16@suddenlink.net or in care of this newspaper.