Richard “Trey” Morgan III is a 17-year-old Kinston native and a Junior at Lenoir County Early College High School working toward his high school diploma and his Associates in Arts degree. He is also working toward becoming an Eagle Scout.

The fundraiser will be held on April 16, 2022 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, Morgan will be selling BBQ plates through King’s restaurant. The event will be a carry-out/drive-thru plate sale. The plates will be $10 a plate and all proceeds will be taken to buy supplies needed for white washing the project. If at the end there is any money left over this too will be donated to the C.S.S. Neuse II.

“He started Scouts as a Cub and crossed over to Boy Scouts,” said Morgan’s mother, Amy Morgan. “He works hard in Scouts and enjoys sharing his knowledge with younger Scouts. He has received multiple badges and awards through hard work and dedication.”

Morgan will be white washing or deluding white paint with water and painting it onto the walls and ceiling of the CSS Neuse II as his project to become an Eagle Scout. This will help the ship be more historical accurate for future visitors.

During the civil war all ironclad boats were whitewashed to help reflect light and provide insect resistance. The Neuse II, which is full size replica of the original Neuse ironclad, currently has only two small rooms whitewashed.  In doing this project it will benefit the community to help others experience and understand what life on the C.S.S. Neuse was like back in its day.

“The best way for the community to support the project will be to buy plates at the fundraiser or donate their time,” said Amy Morgan.

The vessel is 152 feet long by 34 feet in width. Anyone is welcome to come aboard and participate in painting the world’s only ‘built to full scale’ American Civil War Ironclad. For those who do not wish to buy plates there will also be a box to leave donations the day of the fundraiser. To volunteer to assist in painting or to donate please call Morgan at 252-775-8772.