William G. Hewes, a 747-ton iron side-wheel steamship, was built at Wilmington, Delaware, in 1860 for commerical service between the U.S. East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico. She made her maiden voyage early in 1861, as north-south tensions were expanding toward Civil War. The steamer was seized by the State of Louisiana in late April 1861, initially with the idea of converting her into a gunboat, but instead became a blockade runner operating out of New Orleans. She was moved to Carolina ports after Federal Forces captured the lower Mississippi River in April 1862.
Sometime thereafter, William G. Hewes was transferred to private ownership and renamed Ella and Annie. She continued to run the Federal blockade on behalf of the Confederacy until 9 November 1863, when USS Niphon captured her off New Inlet, North Carolina, during an attempt to enter the port of Wilmington. Ella and Annie was subsequently purchased by the U.S. Navy and commissioned as USS Malvern. Sold at auction in October 1865, she reentered civil employment under her original name. Following a long and varied career, the steamship William G. Hewes was wrecked off Cuba on 20 February 1895.

For those traveling to the Outer Banks, The Cotton Gin is a beloved landmark with its large windmill and picturesque gardens. The Cotton Gin has stood in the same location since 1929, starting as a working cotton gin and growing to a gift store with...
Owned by Garry Oliver, the proprietor of the Outer Banks Fishing Pier, this small wooden aqua blue-colored store on the Nags Head-Manteo causeway has been serving the needs of fishermen for decades. A full line of tackle is available for all types...
Founded in 1984 on the coast of the Outer Banks, NC, Farmer’s Daughter still remains a destination for people wanting great quality, outstanding selection of unique clothing, accessories, and gifts at affordable prices. Committed to offering...
Since 1968, our family owned and operated company has offered families just like yours a wide selection of Outer Banks vacation rentals in beach communities and towns of Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head and South Nags...



