Q: In a recent AJC, there was a blurb that said a Civil War shipwreck was identified as the CSS Appomattox. What fame did it have prior to being the location where Grant and Lee met to end the Civil W

Q: In a recent AJC, there was a blurb that said a Civil War shipwreck was identified as the CSS Appomattox. What fame did it have prior to being the location where Grant and Lee met to end the Civil War to have a ship named after it?

— Bob Sullivan, Canton

A: The ship is probably named for the Appomattox River, a commercially important tributary of the James, well known to Virginians of the day, said Stephen Berry, an associate professor in the history department at the University of Georgia. Since she was chartered as part of the Virginia navy before being pressed into Confederate service, a Virginia river name would make sense, Berry said. The ship, which burned at sea more than 145 years ago, was discovered in August 2007 and identified by North Carolina officials as the CSS Appomattox on Nov. 9, according to The Associated Press.

Q: What is the minimum width of a traffic lane in the city and how is it regulated?

— Steve Warren, Atlanta

A: In general, lane width varies from 10 to 12 feet. However, there are situations where lane width can be less than ideal due to rights-of-way constraints, city officials said. Jurisdictions use “A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets,” commonly known as the AASHTO Green Book. City officials say the Connect Atlanta plan (www.connectatlantaplan.com) provides typical lane width, based on the street type.