The national Republican., 1862-11-07
yisit,,s the q" sro~asor.

Yesterday, . vast oonoourss Of people, esti:
mated at from Ave to six thousand, embraced
the opportunity afforded BY the Navy Depart.
mont 10 visit the far.famed !" honitor." The
one O'Clock, and from that time until sunset .
dense crowd Was on the famous vessel all the
time, though constantly chan gtng.
The many objects Of interest underwent the
close scrutiny Of all, particularly the ladies', 9
large number Of whom were present, and took
q lively interest in all that pertained to the
Cheese box"
OF course, the greatest attention was paid to
the round tower, which gave her the above
name. and where the two black " dogs Of war;
allowed 70 speak, make havoc with the OBJ.
jects Of their wrath. We will not attempt .
full description Of an object which has been 90
often described BY the press. The indentations
and Fort Darling battery, are still visible on the
plated iron turret, though II Ia covered to a
thickness Of "A inches by eight thicknesses OF
wrought iron plating.
The places are marked bSan engraving cut
into the iron, designating the name Of the yes.
sci from which the shot came. On the turret
were six Impressions made by the Merrimao,
two by the Minnesota, and one by the Fort
Darling battery. On the larboard side Of the
vessel just abaft the turret. was an indsntatton
made by the PROV Of the Merrimao. This ap.
parently did not effect as much ~ the shot, ~
The impression was only an inch deep, while
on tho bow, near the wheel house, the iron
plating OF the deck appears to have been pene-
wheel el.house attracted a great deal Of attention
as being the scene Of Lieut.. Worden's wound
ing. This is arranged just below the deck Of
the vessel, but As tho man who steers must
have his head above so as to see where his YES.
erected a around him and i Ris wheel. with Orevi.
oes about three quarters Of an inch In width
left for him to take his observations. A heavy
solid shot from the Merrimao broke one Of the
iron beams which support this house. In Or
the pilot through his three quarter inch win
dows, a guard Of plated iron has been securely
fastened to the sloping sides of the wheel.
house and turned up at right angles with those
sides, thus hing any bullet or rife ball which
may be aimed at the widows Of the wheel
house. This arrangement, we learn, has been
afRxed since the Monitor arrived at the yard.
Several parts of the wheel.house bear EVIL
dcnces ofthe force Of the Merrimsc's shot.
The anchor and its steam. hoisting apparatus
Ia below deck; SO, also. is the propeller, which
is aft and inside of the vessel, so that none OF
her motive power can be seen or reached by
shot or shell.
The two guns In the turret are formidable
monsters and attracted the greatest attention.
The interior of the turret was visited. The
machinery by which II Is revolved is out OF
sight. The guns are placed on track, and
AZ soon AZ discharged, they are run back to be
reloaded At the same time q heavy, plated
beam drops down, thus effeotually closing the
PORTFOLIOS. The guns are managed by sixteen
men, each man having y particular work As.
signed him.
Below the deck are the accommodations for
the inhabitants Of this truly wonderful craft.
They actually live below the surface OF the
water, rs the vessel Is only about fifteen inches
above water. Here are the dining. room, kitch.
en-, engineers room, officers quarters. sleep.
ing hunks, &c.
When ready for service, the vessel carries
oun,srsS sniinr. snsuanss ao ar us ~ -,
nearly ready for her next trip. and will sail in
3 day or two.