As part of a Confederate offensive to retake the North Carolina river town of Plymouth, the C.S.S. Albermarle, under Captain James Wallace Cooke, sailed to attack defending Union positions and clear the Roanoke River of Union warships. In doing so, the Albermarle sank the U.S.S. Southfield and damaged the U.S.S. Miami, both paddle steamers. Plymouth fell to Confederate land forces soon after. (By John Osborne)