USS Mackinaw, an 1173-ton Sassacus class side-wheel "double-ender" steam gunboat built at the New York Navy Yard, was commissioned in April 1864. For much of that year, she served on the James River, Virginia, taking part in engagements at Dutch Gap in August. In early December, while on blockade duty, Mackinaw captured a sailing blockade runner. Later in that month, and in January 1865, she took part in ultimately successful assaults on Fort Fisher, North Carolina. In February, the gunboat operated on the Cape Fear River, N.C.
Decommissioned in May 1865, as the war came to an end, Mackinaw returned to active service in January 1866. She spent more than a year with the North Atlantic Squadron and in the West Indies, but was decommissioned again in May and sold in October of 1867.

Discover the best homemade ice cream and authentic made-from-scratch New York Style pizza the Outer Banks has to offer at American Pie in Kill Devil Hills. An Outer Banks favorite for lunch, dinner or a delicious scoop of scrumptious ice cream after...
No trip to the Outer Banks is complete without cruising through Brew Thru, the Outer Banks’ original drive thru convenience store. Whether you’re looking for a refreshing cold beverage of Coke, Pepsi and other soft drinks on the go...
Island Express Ferry Service LLC is the only authorized concessionaire to drop off at Cape Lookout Lighthouse and Shackleford Banks! Offering departures from both Beaufort and nearby Harkers Island, Island Express Ferry Service serves as the...
The noted explorer, archaeologist, anthropologist, paleontologist, and part-time plumbing contractor from the University of Chicago, Professor Duffer A. Hacker, led two expeditions to the outer banks in the late 1920’s. The purpose of these...



