The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-03-11
THE NAVAL BATTLE.
Fort Monroe. March @.

Of two punboats which came out with her
from Norfolk, made an attack upon New
port News. and the naval vessels stationed
at that place. The Merrimac was FIRST
seen from the ramparts of Fortr SIS Mon
roe, on her way to Newport News, at
about quarter before one o'clock, and
two rebel gan boats followed her. They
all carried the rebel flag. The stern had
a French flag at the masthead. The
Merrimao had flag al her bows which
was deccribed by some as a commodore s
blue flag. and by Others as . black flag.
The sides. bows and stern of the Merri-
mac were covered with slipping iron plates,
extending about foot below the water
line, and meeting above like the roof Of
house. On her bows on the water line
are two sharp iron points resembling
plows, about six or seven feet apart
The number of guns is stated Ut twelve,
but she might not have had 80 many. At
her bows we're seen two guns projecting
from long elliptical port-holcs.
The design of the enemy did not be-
come apparent until between one and two
O'clock. and by that time the Minnesota
had rot under way TO the scene Of action.
The Roanoke, the flag ship, being disa-
bled by the breaking of her shaft
some time since, was taken in tow by
cun-boats. About this time the alarm
gun was fred at TT. Monroe, and the
whole garrison promptly turned out. The
rebel beats sternly pursued their way to
Newport News, and the Merrimack soon
turned the point and was lost to view from
the Fortress.
The first shot was fred from the frigate
Cumberland, ut little past two O'Clock.
The Sewall's Point battery then opened
on the Minnesota, which was passing, and
then the Sawyer gun a. the Rip Raps re-
piled with few shots at SewaiIss Point.
A thick smoke was soon seen to rise above
Newport News point, indicating that the
battery there, as well rs the Cumberland
and Congress, we're engaged.
The details of the action could no. be
seen from the Fort, but a telegraph des.
/ patch was received announcing that the
Cumberland and Mcrrimac were in close
quarters. After firing two guns at the
Cumberland the Merrimac struck her shur.
bows. making a hole in her at the watei
line. seven feet in extent. The Cumber.
land commenced sinking, while the Mer
rimac, backing short distance, ran int.
her a second time. making another terri.
bic hole in her. causing the water to rur
in nj = fur;ou. rate The Cumberlant
continued firing till the water entered he
PORTFOLIOS. when she careened over slowly
1 and finally SINK about three o'clock.
The Newport News battery and til,
onns az the Cumberland fred cont;nnousl,
apon the Merrimsc, but no apparent 81
4 feet vas produced upon her. The Min
nesota cot aground On the vav nm an,
eonld afford but little assistance. Short,
before three o,clock the Yorltown an.
jamestown arrived from mn the Jane
RIVER The former was disabled early i,
/ thu afternoon md nntin abora far rensira
After sinking the Cumberland III
, Merr;mac turned her attent;on "a the Con
,ress and i less than ~ hour afterward
: white Aac vas ho;s,ed ON the Convr.s,
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