The Confederate warship Albemarle had been successful in defending Plymouth, North Carolina during much of 1864. Lieutenant William Cushing, USN led a daring raid, under cover of darkness, with two steam cutters and twenty-two men, on the Albemarle at her moorings. A massive hole was blown her side and she sank in six feet of water. The Union boats were swamped and most of the raiders captured, though Cushing made a thrilling escape. (By John Osborne)