The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-08-08
Merrimac No. , Coming Out.

According to the following letter from Har.
rison's Landing, to the New York Times, the
new ram Merrimac No. came in sight Of
our fleet on the James on Wednesday =
"At about noon yesterday (Wednesday,) a
signal officer described two suspicious look
ing craft moving down the James river tow
ard Turkey Bend. When off that point the
craft stopped and cast anchor. 1t is under
stood and generally believed that one of the
vessels is the new Merrimac called the Rich
mond. The name OF the other is thought to
be the Young America. Intelligence Of their
appearance was Immediately communicated
TO Flag Officer Wilkes, who promptly issued
orders for first class gunboats to run up
the stream as far as Lighthouse Point, which
is just below City Point. The Monitor and
Galena were already in that part of the river.
The Monitor was next ordered to proceed up
the river slowly and reconnoiter the banks
on each side, and approach to within a GER
tain distance of the rebel vessels. Upon tie
course up, the Monitor threw dozen or fit.
teen shell into the woods on the south side.
for the purpose of discovering batteries, but
failed to elicit any response from the enemy.
She went almost within range of the Rich
mond, but no firing took place between her
and the rebel vessels. In about an hour the
Monitor withdrew to Lighthouse Point.
where, in connection with the Galena and
the other gunboats, line of battle was form
ed. For the remainder of the afternoon and
during the night, our own and the rebel YES
sells occupied the same relative positions.
SO a. m: Thursday THE position of the
fleet remains unchanged. The rebel rams
are still of Turkey Bend. How near we are
to naval battle each one can Judge for him
self"
Peter Dolan, printer, who lately escaped
from Richmond, gives the following account
of Merrimac No. o.
Sunday three weeks ago, was on board
the Merrimac, being anxious to get look at
her before came away. She is a very for
mdable vessel, constructed with much skill.
Her wood work was then finished. On the
following day she was taken across the river
to the Iredegar Works 10 have her plating
put on. The plates are about ten feet long,
and ten inches wide. They are punched en-
tlrely through with holes for the insertion of
the bolts, and will overlap ore another when
IN position. Like Merrimac No. l, she is a
formidable ram, but is someu hat smaller
than the great original, which, in every eth
er respect, she greatly resembles. Her roof
runs up to apeak, of such hight that the
sides rise at sharp angle. When ironed
and her machinery put in, her guards will
not probably be over one foot above the wa
ter. Being much smaller, she will be far
more manageable than Merrimac the first
Her guards were about six feet above IN.
waters edge. The ram was well beaked.
reaching about four feet above the deck. and
extending Out six or eight feet.
Although her armament was of course M,
vet on board, its character was no secret ~
The entire public having access to the vessel.
1t was 'lsy to be seen what number of guns
she va to carry, as well as their approx.
mate Character. From other information.
however, l can state that she will carry one
bow, one stern, and three side guns. They
are to be of the same description as those
which are mounted at Fort Darling. their
ability to pierce our iron armored vessels
having, IN the attack upon that fortress, been
exemplifed-at least to the satisfaction Of
secesh; The balls to be used are steel-point-
ed, and were being made on the dav of our
departure, as well as previously. She is 10
doubt completed by this time, and ready for
offensive operations, as very large gang Of
workmen are employed upon her. She is |
the pride of the Richmonders, who rely upon
her for the defense of the city as much as IN. |
on their armies. 1t is boastingly declared,
and universally believed by them, that she
Will sweep the James river While this is
undoubtedly bombast, it is certain she bas
'ne feature of formidableness not possessed
BY Merrimac No her armor- plating ex-
ends below the water-line. Sinenl,rIv
enough, her crew is to consist only of the
rev of Merrimac the first. The men were
laartered on Thirteenth street, few doors
rom the Examiner office, in building st,I-
d The Sailors Home.'"