Weekly Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-03-21
Ex. and Ord. Off

The following official reports have been re
ceiyed at the Navy Department;
FoRrRsss MosBoE, Va, March 10, 1862.
SIR 1t is my painful duty TO have to report
the loss of the United States ship Cumberland,
under my command, on the 9Th Inst. az Newport
News, Va. was IN board the United States
lrigate Roanoke, by order of the Hon. Secretary
Of the Navy, as member Of Court OF Inquiry.
when The hIerrinnc came out from Norfolk.
Immediately procured u horse, and proceeded
with NIL dispatch to Newport News, whore
arrived only in time to see the Cumberland sunk,
by being run into by the Rebel iron-clad steamer
Merrimac. Though ] could not reach the Cum
berland before the action was over, have the
satisfaction of reporting that so long as her guns
were above water every one of her men must
have done his duty nobly. | send with this the
report by Lieut.. George W. Morris of the action,
he being in my absence the commanding officer,
and also the Surgeons report of the wounded
saved. The loss was very large in killed, wound
| ed and drowned. though the number cannot he
ascertained. Enough ia known, however, 10
make the loss 100. send also a list Of the men
known to have been saved but have no accurate
means of giving the names of these lost or killed,
as no officer Or man brought anything on shore
save what he stood in, consequently have no
muster roll of the crew.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
wM. RADFURD, Commander.
The Hon. GIDEON WsLLEs, Secretary Of the
Navy
The following is a copy of the report Of Lieut..
George NJ. Morris, who was temporarily in COM
mand of the irigatc Cumberland when she was
usssiled and sunk by the Merrimac,
NEWPORT Nkws, Va. March ., 1862
SIR: Yesterday morning, at a. IN, ] dis
covered two steamers at anchor off Smthiled
Point, gu the left hand or western eide Of the
river, distant about twelve miles. At II m.
discovered three vessels under steam, standing
down the Elizabeth River toward Sewas Point
beat to quarters, doube.breeched the guns on
the main deck, aud cleared ship for action.
All D. m the enemy hove in sight, gradually
nearing us. The ironcad steamer Merrimac
accompanied by two steam gunboats, passed
ahead Of the frgate Congress and steered down
toward us. We opened fire on her. She stood
on, and struck us under the starbOard fore
channels She delivered her fire at the same
time The destruction was great We returned
the fire with solid shot with aiacriy.
Al 80 o'clock, the water had gained upon us
Notwithstanding the pumps were kept aciivel,
employed to degree that, the forward magazin'
being drowned, we had to take powder FROM th,
after magazine for the 10-inch gun. At 1886 tn
water had risen to the main hatchway, and th,
ship canted to port, aud we delivered a pqrtiul
fire, each man trying TO save himself by Jumping
overheard.
Timely notice was given, and all the wounde,
who could walk were ordered out Of the cockpit
hut those OF the wounied, who had been carrie,
into the sick bay and on the birth-ieck were s
mangled that it was impossible to save them.
II is impossible for me to indiVidualise. Alike
the officers and men, all behaved in the mos
gallant manner. Lieut.. SelIridge aud Maste
Steuyyesant were in command of the gunsdec
divisions, and they did all that noble and gaan
onieets could do Acting Master Randolf nn
Keenison, who had charge each Of Il pisot-guu
showed the most perfect GOODNESS. aud did a
!, they Gond to save our noble ship but al
sorry to say, without avail. Among the last
Z, leave the ship we've Sergeant Martin aud As
sittant- Surgeon kershaw, who did all they ccul
for the wounded promptly and faithfully.
The loss we sustained cannot yet inform 20
D of, but it has been very grear. The warrant an
4 Storage officers could not have heen more prom
: and active than they were Mt their different sta
: g lions Chaplain Lenharts missing Master
! Mate John Harrington WAS killed. ! shout
y Judge we have lost upward of 100 men. ca
say in conclusion that all did their duty, we san
u with the American nag flying Mt the peak.
u | am, Sir, &c, GEO. NJ. MORRIS,
: Lieutenant and Executive Officer.