Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-03-18
THE GREAT NAVAL FIGHT,
ofIicial Report OF the Affair,

The following official reports have been re
ceivel at the Navy Department;
FoHTREss MsNR0R, Va, March 10, 1867.
SIn. ltis my painful duty to have 10 report
the loss of the United States ship Cumberland
under my command, on the S,h inst, at Newport
News, Va. | was on board the United States
frigate Roanoke, by order Of the Hon. Secretary
Of the Navy, as member OF a Court of Inquiry
when the Merrimac came out from Noffolt
Immediately procured horse, aud proceeded
with all dispatch to Newport News, where
arrived only in time to see the Cumberland sunk,
by heing run into by the Rebel iron clad steamer
Merrimac Though could not reach the Cum
Leriand before the action was over, have tue
satisfaction vi reporting that 50 lOng as her guns
we're above water every one Of her men must
have done his duty uohly. | send will this the
repurt hy Lieut. George W. Morris ofthe action,
he being in my absence the commanding officer,
and also the Surgeons report Of the wounded
sAYed The loss was very large in Killed, wound
ed and drowned, though the number cannot be
ascertained Enough is known, however, TO
make the loss 100 send also II list Of the men
knoHn to have teen saved, but have no accurate
means of giving the names of these lost or killed,
as no officer ,r man brought anything on shore
save what he stood in, consequently have no
muster-rOll Of the crew.
Very respectfully, your obelient servant,
WM RADFORD, Commander.
The Hon, GIDEuN WeLLEa. Secretary OF the
Navy
The following is a copy Of the report of Lieut..
George NJ Morris, who was temporarily in com
maud Vi the frigate Cumberland when she was
ussailed and sunk by the NJ, rrmnc.
NEWPORT Nkws, Va. March ., lSG2
STA; Yesterday ROrning, ats IN, dis
covered two steamers At anchor of Smlhhed
Point, ON the left hand or western side ul the
river, distant about Twelve miles. Al H. N.
discovered three vessels, under stenm, stinding
down the Elizabeth River toward Sewars Point
beat to quarters, douhe-bIeeched the guns on
the main deck and cleared ship for action
AZ p IN. the enemy hove in sight, gradually
nearing US. The iron cay steamer Menimac
accompanied by twu steam gunboat4, passed
ahead of the irigate Congress and sleered down
toward lis. We opened fire on her She =iuol
Oh, and struck US under the siathonrd fore
channels She delivered her fire ut the same
time The destruction was great We returnec
the tire with solid shot with alaciiy.
Al "a O'Clock, the winter had gained uptn us
Notwithstanding the pumps were kept actively
employed to degree that, the for@ail guzn,
being drowned, we had to take powder from Ill,
after magazine for the lO.inch gun. At3.35 Tia,
water had risen To the main hatchWay, nnl The
ship canted 10 port, and We delivered rarlinl
fire, each man lIying 10 save himself 10y jumpinl
overheard,
Timely notice was given, and all the woundc,
wha, could walk were ordered ont OF the cockpit
hut those OF the wouniej, who had been carrie,
into the sick bny and on the billh.deck were 8
mangted that it was impossible tu save them.
Iti tisimpoHslblc for me to individualise. Alike
the officers and men, all behaved in the mos
gallant manner. Lieut. Sclirdge and Masle
Steuyvesant We're IN command ofslhe gun dec
divisions, and they did al that noble and gallan
u officers could do Acting Master Randolf AN
keeni-on, who lad charge each of pivot guu
showed the most perfect cOolness, aud did II
! they could to save our noble ship; but al
u sorry to sny, without avail Among the last
:, l,are the ship were Sergeant Martin and As
1t estant- Surgeon kershaw, who idnll they ccul
. for the wounded promptly and faithfully.
> The loss we sustained cannot yet inform 70
u Of, but it has been very great The warrant au
u Storage officers could not have been more prom
Z and active than they were at their different stu
= lions, Chaplain Lenharts missing. Master
y Mate Johu Harrington was killed, shou
y Judge we have lost upward Of 100 men. | Gu
=. say in conclusion that al did their duty, we sal
q with the American Nag flying at the peak.
a am, Sir. &c, GEO, NJ MORRIS,
T. Lieutenant and Executive Officer