This Saturday, April 20, the CSS Neuse II will host its first public “Breakfast on the Boat” for 2024. “Breakfast on the Boat” is one of the Neuse Foundation’s smaller fundraisers to help raise money to support the Neuse II.

I am not sure local people understand what a tourism draw the Neuse II is. Last year, 3,945 visitors boarded the Neuse II on Saturdays, and another 743 came aboard during one of the 19 private showings of Neuse II. Total visits in 2023: 4,688. From 2015 through 2022, the total number of visitors to the Neuse II was just shy of 32,600.

Please keep in mind that the Neuse II is staffed by volunteers. Every Saturday, volunteers open the gunboat from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Every time the gunboat opens for a private showing, at least one volunteer is involved. We have had school groups of 120, and on those occasions, at least five volunteers help provide information and manage the flow of students through the nooks and crannies of the Neuse II.

On April 20, “Breakfast on the Boat” will feature its normal fare – a full country breakfast: scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, grits, biscuits, and beverages. You can eat on the gunboat itself or, if the weather permits, you can eat on the dock outside the gunboat and enjoy the sunshine. We also make provision for those who want to stay on ground-level. So far, the weather forecast looks good.

“The Gunboat Boys” will be back to perform both blue grass and Civil War period music. They will fill the air with songs such as “Cindy,” “Yellow Rose of Texas,” “Rose of Alabamy,” and “Goober Peas” – to name just a new. You may even see people dressed in period clothes to add to the atmosphere. Sometimes, Clara Barton shows up.

The Neuse II is a work in progress. The foundation that serves as caretaker for the replica gunboat is responsible for maintenance of both the deck and the boat itself. Even now, the foundation is adding a covered shelter for the Galley Crew.

Maintenance, repairs and improvements drain a good deal of the resources of the Neuse Foundation. Rebuilding reserves is crucial. The Neuse II has always been a labor of love for those who placed the boards, drove the nails, and helped construct the 158-foot replica from the original plans.

We are grateful to the foresight and commitment of Ted Sampley, the visionary who saw a replica on a corner once covered in four-foot weeds. We are grateful master boat-builder Alton Stapleford was willing to dedicate his time, energy and expertise for seven years to superintend construction.

We are grateful for those who, through the years, have given of their time, energy and money to keep the Neuse II afloat – so to speak.

Come for breakfast.

Don’t miss the boat!

Mike Parker is a columnist for the Neuse News. He also serves on the board of directors for the CSS Neuse Foundation, caretaker of the CSS Neuse II. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.