A crew of volunteers are building (to actual size - 158') a replica of the Civil War Ironclad CSS Neuse.  When complete, the CSS Neuse replica will be a valued educational tool and tourist attraction that will benefit the people of Kinston, Lenoir County and North Carolina, both historically and economically.   From the day the keel was laid, people have been visiting Kinston to watch the project progress. It has turned into an instant tourist attraction.
The Naval Training Ship C.S.S. Neuse is a "civic action" project conceived, organized and Ted Sampley of the Last Firebase Veterans Archives Project, a 501 c3 Vietnam veterans organization.
The Board of Directors of the Naval Training Ship C.S.S. Neuse are all military veterans.
From late April 2005 through August 2005, the C.S.S. Neuse received nearly 6,000 visitors.