Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1862-05-16
Destruction of the ..merrimac.n

We find the following particulars in cesard
to the destruction OF tho "Mcrrimac," in the
Petersburg "Etpress," Of the 18th inst:
u council was held among the of]cers,
and it was determined to try and got into James
River, but upon consultation with the pilots,
the coin mandor was assured that the vessel
could no! be run in James River, unless her draft
was reduced to ls feet This fact was an
nounced to the crow, who received the infor.
nation with loud cheers, and went to work
with great industry, throwing out coal bal
last, ETC., To Tighten the vessel By midnight
she was ightened to the required draft, but
here new difficulties interposed. She had come
up 30 high as to expose her hull, thus render
ing her as vulnerable as any wooden vessel,
aud the pilots carne to the conclusion, that
even with only l8 feet, at the present low
stage CT tho water in James, caused by the
strong westerly winds, they could not carry
her any distance beyond Newport's Nows.
To think of giving battle in the now exposed
condition was oui Of the question, ana TO re-
main in her then position rendered her capture
only 4 matter time. twas then determined
TO destroy her, and steps were Immediately ta.
ken to consummate the deed. Her roof, al.;ady
covered with tsllow md a.ber fatty matter,
was saturated with oil, and her decks also re-
cesved copious supply OF The same mAterial.
Her crew numbering $780, were then safely dis
embarked in small boats, and ton men detailed
10 apply the torch. This was accomplished by
laying small trains of powder from each port
TO various parts of tho ship, which upon being
isnited, speedily envelnped the noble vessel
III shoot Of fame. The wators were bril-.
liantly illuminated for miles, but not boats
Crew from any of tho Federal vessels dared
approach tho burning mass to c1tinguish the
fire and secure tho prize. Soc continued to
burn until O'clock, when the fire reached her
magazine and caused m explosion which
shook tho Garth at Suffolk, 80 miles distant,
and sent her enormous guns and nine hun.
drod tons Of iron plating flying in the air to C.
height Of three or four hundred feet
The platen, heated to cherry red, we are
told, presented an awful but magnificent sight
a mnment OF Two moro, the flying fragments
icli into the water, and ell that remained of
the most formidable war vessel ever construct
cd, was her ciarred and burning hull We
can woll imagine the herdish delight with
which our enemies chuckled over this anni-
iiation of What had been 10 them "rod OF
terror" since the 9th Of March last, and how
Soundly Gen. Wool must have slept for the
first time since the terrible havoc OF that me-
norsble day.
But for tho deception OF the pilots, which
caused the dislnantling oi the Virginia and
ircapacltated her fo7 fight, it was the wish Of
her crow to sally out and attack the feet and
forts Of tho enemy, and go down with Tag by'
ing She would doubtless have committed
much destruction among tho encmy's vessels,
and would hase furnished stirring chapter OF
the war. Fate ordained otherwise; and not
withstaniirg tho cbafDg and wrath Of many
disappointed grumbler deprived OF sensation,
the Virginia's noble crew and their gallant 9TH
GERS, still live, and for better purpose We
applaud the courage which prepared them for
self fiHEaola.ion in their country's cause VIC
are glad that they still live to defend their
country in a more practical manner. The
banks Of tho James ara, We trust to witness, d
prowess ard = devotion worthy OF that which
they exhibited, and were ready to attest, wien
aacst upon its waters.