The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-05-16
THE MERRIMAC DESTROYED
She is Blown Up by the Rebels.

To Hon j. II. Watson, assistant Secretary
Of JIm:-
The Merrimac was blown up by the rebels
at two minutes before five O'Clock this morn
ing. She was set fire to about three o'clock.
The explosion took place at the time stated
1t is stated to be grand sight BY those
who saw it.
The Monitor, F. B Stevens (Naugatuck)
and the gunboats have gone up toward Nor
folk.
A dis| atch from Fortress Monroe on Sun
DAY, says AT four o'clock this morning, a
bright light was observed in the direction of
Craney Island. At precisely half past four
an explosion took place that made the earth
and water tremble for miles. In the midst
Of the bright flames which shot up in the
distance, the timbers and iron of the monster
could be seen flying through the air. No
doubt was entertained that the veritab!e
Merrimac had ceased to exist. Flag Officer
GoIdsbol ough, on receiving this report, order
ed two armed naval tugs, the Zouave and
Dragon, to proceed toward Craney Island on
reconnaissance and ascertain the truth OF
the rumor. Immediately after they had turf,
ed the point the Monitor and f. A. Stevens
steamed up in the same direction, followed
by the San Jacinto, SusquehannaE, Mount
Vernon, Seminole, and Daco,ah. 1t WAS Il
most beautiful sight, and attracted thousands
of spectators along the whole line Of Ola
Point. Some were disposed to discredit the
announcement that the Nerrimac had been
destroyed and as the vessels passed up TO
Craney Island the excitement became intense
In the meantime two tuS-boats were seen
coming on towards the Fortress at full speed
each lparently entleav. ring to outrun the
other, and when nearing the wharf the radi
ant countenance of Capt Case of the Mime
sofa told that the news they brought was Of
a most gratifying character. The report was
true All tie earthworks at Craney Island
appeared to be abandoned, though the rebel
flag was still flying. Lieut. S. f. Edridge.
from the Dragon, had landed with an armed
crew and taken down the rebel flag, substitu-
ting the stars and stripes amid the hearty
cheering of the crew. Capt Case immediate
ly reported the fact to the president and sec
rotary of war, who received the confirmation
of the picket boats with great satisfaction
At the request of the president, Capt Case
Immediately proceeded to Craney Island to
ascertain if the works were evacuated, in
company with the fleet, which was then adj
vancing. Your correspondent and the pay
master Of the gallant little Zouave, Capt
Phillips, which figured 50 nobly in the fight
with the Merrimac on her first appearance.
wer corrt4ously invited by Capt Case to
accompany him on the expedition, which was
! ayT oil o,,I Ill
the vessels of war that had started in al
vance of US, except the Monitor and Nauga-
tuck, which were moving ahead on their way
to Norfolk, having passed by Sewalls's Point
and Craney Island.
AS we neared Craney Island We found this
immense fortress apparently abandoned,
though three rebel flags foated from very
tall stats in different parts of the works.
Capt Chase, when within half mile OF the
shore, ordered a shot to be fired to test the
fact of evacuation. The only signs of life
produced was the appearance on shore of two
negroes. a boat was Immediately lowered,
and through the courteous attention of the
commandant they accompanied it to the shore
to participate III the honor of lowering the
rebel emblem and substituting the pride OF
America in its place. The forts on the isl
and are in four or five sections. They are
constructed with the best engineering skill
and most admirable workmanship The
forts were left in excellent condition, as were
also the extensive barracks which had accom-
modated during the winter garrison of ov-
er two thousand men. Forty heavy guns
were mounted i'll different parts of the works,
on the main front of the island, the works
commanding the approaches to the channel
Of the river. Nine of these classmates were
finished, in each of which were nine or ten
inch Dab green's, and the work Of erecting five
more classmates was in progress at the time
of the evacuation, in one Of which gun was
mounted The fort at the head of the island
was called the citadel. 1t was not casemat-
ed, but mounted five heavy guns. The whole
number of guns mounted was thirty-nine, of
which two were PARROTS. and number of
rihed Dahlgrens. There were also about six
guns in the works which had not been
mounted. After spending an hour On the
island, we proceeded to Norfolk Immediately.
AT the upper end Of the island We found a
mass OF olackened wreck floating on the wa
ter some OF 1t proceeding from the sunken
portions of the vessels. We had also passed
large quantities Of floating timber on our
way up, all of which had been torn into snlin-
tiers. From the men found on the island we
ascertained that the Merrimac had laid dur
ing Saturday at point nearly mile below
the position from which the fragments were
observed. During the night, however, she
had been brought back and run ashore. =
Her entire officers and crew were landed on
the island, and slow match applied to her