By Tom Harrison
Sound Trivia:
- The Albemarle Sound is the
largest freshwater sound in North America!
- The Albemarle Sound combined with
the adjoining Pamlico Sound for the second largest
estuary on the East Coast, (second only to the
Chesapeake Bay)
- It was a saltwater sound up until
1830 when a storm closed the Currituck Inlet.
- Named for the Duke of Albemarle,
George Monck, one of the Lords Proprietors granted the
province of Carolina in 1663 by King Charles II.
- The Albemarle Sound is an
expansive shallow freshwater sound that is fed by the
Roanoke River pouring in 8,800 cubic feet of water per
second, in addition to the Chowan River, Pasquotank
River, and a half-dozen smaller streams. The Albemarle
Sound is 60 miles long and 15 miles across at its widest
point covering an area of 450 square miles. The sound
and its tributaries are an extremely important spawning
ground for a number of fish species.
The Albemarle Sound is of uniform depth and has no tidal action.
Wind plays the only significant role in the rise and fall of the
water level in the Sound. Claiborne Young, (the foremost expert on
recreational boating in the southeastern United States and author of
eight books on cruising the coastal states from North Carolina to
the Gulf Coast), writes in his book, Cruising Guide to Coastal North
Carolina, "The (Albemarle) sound is well marked for navigation.
Unlike other North Carolina sounds, the Albemarle is mostly free of
shoals. Generally, while in the sound, cruising captains can take a
welcome break from their constant vigil over the depth sounder."
Whether paddling through the cypress studded bays amongst nesting
ospreys, sailing the open water, or fishing for scrappy white perch
and striped bass, the Albemarle Sound is a picturesque piece of
God's creation waiting to be enjoyed! Washington County provides
the perfect ports.
History
The Albemarle Sound is steeped in mystery and history. At the
arrival of the first Europeans, the Albemarle Region was populated
by members of the Algonquian Indians. On the shores of the eastern
end of the sound Sir Walter Raleigh established the first permanent
settlement in the New World. The fate of that colony remains an
unsolved mystery. But many researchers believe that the colonist
moved inland to the western end of the Albemarle Sound, (possibly
even to what is today Washington County) assimilating with the
Native Americans. In 1587 Governor John White had conversations with
the colonist about "moving 50 miles inland". Fifty miles due
west of the Roanoke Island settlement site by way of the Albemarle
Sound lands you in the middle of Washington County! Further
supporting this theory is the fact that during the previous year, in
1586, a party of English explorers traveled the 55 mile length of
the Albemarle Sound and into the Roanoke River itself! John White
created maps of the journey that show what is now Washington County.
Within fifty years English settlers were once more arriving in the
Albemarle Region, but this time they came from the successful
Virginia colonies. They came to farm, fish, and harvest the prolific
timber growing in the area. The area was well known for ship's
stores, (timbers for masts, spars, pitch and turpentine), as well as
lumber, barrel staves, shingles, tobacco and fish. Plymouth and
Mackeys became important trading ports by the 1700's. For example,
in 1771, 144 sailing ships passed through the western Albemarle,
many laden with molasses, brown sugar, coffee and tea from the West
Indies to trade for the riches growing here in eastern Carolina.
As time passed the fishing methods became more sophisticated. During
the 1800's enormous seines (a type of net), that stretched over a
mile long were used to corral the herring, shad, and striped bass
that were salted or iced and sold commercially.
There was an important ferry that operated across the Albemarle
Sound between Edenton and Mackeys, from 1735 -1938. During the
1700's it was sailboat and took the better part of a day to cross
the sound, depending on the wind. The golden age of
Mackeys Ferry
was from 1881-1910 when Norfolk Southern Railroad operated a ferry
that carried passenger train cars. In 1910,
Norfolk Southern completed a 28,000' railroad bridge across the
Albemarle Sound from Edenton to Mackeys. At the time of completion,
it was the longest bridge in the world! Later a highway swing bridge
was constructed just east of the railroad bridge. That highway
bridge was subsequently replaced by a new high-rise bridge in 1990.
During the Civil War one of the most amazing naval battles took
place in the Albemarle Sound adjacent to Washington County near Pea
Ridge. The most successful ironclad of the Civil War, that twice
defeated the Union Navy, was the CSS Albemarle, named for the body
of water in which the famous battle took place. On May 5, 1864, the
CSS Albemarle was steaming to New Bern in support of the Confederate
attack when it was engaged by a Union fleet consisting of 7 ships. A
five and one half hour battle ensued with the Union Navy firing 557
shells at the CSS Albemarle before raising the signal flag to cease
fire and give up the fight.