Oh that converted ferry rates high on the coolness scale.
In a quick skim through this thread didn't see it mentioned, this book is worth having.
Also of interest might be a 3 book series by a R. Thomas Campbell.
I've only read the first, some years ago, and in looking it up now discovered there are 2 more. I liked it enough to give to my Dad, who retired from the US Navy. Don't know for certain if he has read it but it is prominent on his shelf.
Series is:
Gray Thunder: Exploits of the Confederate States Navy
(not sure of order of following 2)
Southern Thunder: Exploits of the Confederate States Navy
Fire and Thunder: Exploits of the Confederate States Navy
And see other titles there on Amazon.
This one sounds especially relevant to this project,
Iron Courage: Confederate Ironclads in the War Between the States