The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-04-04
MlisteIlal1eo1lls.
The Cumberland and Morrimac.


Probably the most heroic naval fight ofthc
present war, was that between the frigate
Cumberland, and the iron.clad rebel monster
Merrimac. The following interesting dos
cription Of the engagement, is given by Mr..
Smith. the pilot Of the Cumberland:
"When the Merrimac arrived within about
mile. we opened on her with our pivot
guns, and us soon as VIC could bear upon her,
our whole broadside commenced. Still she
came on, the balls bouncing from her mailed
sides, like India rubber, apparently mob max
ing the least impression, except to cut of her
flag staff. and tirus to bring down the Con.
fedento colors. Mono of her crew venturei
at that time on deck to replace them, and abe
fought thenceiorward with only her pennant
flying. She appeared to OBEY her holm, and
be very readily handled, making oil her
movements and evolutions with apparent ia
clity. We had probably fred six or eight
broadsides, when shot was received from
ono OF her guns which killed Eve of our
marines. Il was impossible for our vessel to
get out Of the way, and tho Mcrrimac soon
crashed her iron horn or ram into the Cum.
berland, just starboard the main chains, un-
der the bluff Of tho port bow, knocking a
hole in her side near tho water line, as large
as the head Of hogshead, and driving the
vessel back upon her anchors with great
force. The water came rushing into the
hold. The Merrimac then backed out and
discharged her guns at us, the shot passing
through the main bay and killing five sick
men. The water was all the time rushing
into the hole made IN the bow, 30 that in five
minutes 1t was up to the sick bay on the
berth deck. In tho mean time her broad.
swept the men away, killed and manned and
also set our vessel on fro in the forward part.
Tho FIRE was extinguished. Icannot tell how
many were wounded, tho sick bay, berth
deck and gun deck, were literally covered
with men killed and wounded, but tho sur
viving ones still fought well, and every one,
officers and men. displayed tho utmost hero
ism. The fighting lasted three. .fourtbs Of an
hour, the Cumberland firing rapidly, and oil
the time tho water pouring in tho hold, and
by and by the ports, as her bow kept sinking
deeper and deeper. Near the middle Of the
fight when the berth deck Of the Cumber-
land had sunk below water, one Of the crew
Of the Merrimac came out Of port to the
outside of her iron plating, and ball from
one Of our guns instantly cut him in two
That was the last and only rebel that ven
tured within sight, the rest remaining In their
safe iron walled enclosure.
We fired constantly and the Merrimac oc-
casionally, but every shot told upon our
wooden vessel and brave crew. Her guns be-
ing without the least elevation, pointed
straight ut us along the surface Of tho water,
and her nearness, she being much Of tho
timo within three hundred yards, made 1t an
easy matter to send each ball to its exact
mark. Probably her guns would DO useless
at considerable distance, as 1t appears i'm.
possible to elevate them. Finally, after about
three -fourths of an hour Of the most severe
fighting, our yc-scl sank, the stars and stripes
still waving. That flag was finally submerg.
ed, but after the hull grounded on the sand,
fifty.four feet below the surface Of the water,
our pcnnant was still flying from the topmast
above the waves. Mono Of our men wero
captured, but many were drowned as the
vessel went down. We had about four hum
dred on board, and suppose from one hun.
drcd and City to two hundred wero killed
during the engagement and drowned at tho
sinking.