Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1862-05-22
The Msrrimao. Why She was destroyed.


The masters mate and gunner of the Mer-
rimac have arrived at Fortress Monroe from
Norfolk, and the correspondent of the Phila-
delphia TnqaiTg gives an account OF an inter.
view with them. They tell an interesting
story. We copy
The masters mates name is E. z Nc.
Laughlin, son of the proprietor of Barnum's
Hotel, in Baltimore. He was arrested In
Norfolk last Saturday, when our troops took
possession OF the city but afterwards releas-
ed on his parole. To day, he took the oath
of allegiance, and is on his way home. he
was on board the Merrimac when she sank the
Cumberland, and promoted for signal services
in that action.
The gunner's name is Ball, native of
Baltimore, where he has q widowed mother
residing. At the breaking ont of the rebel
lion he had jnst been discharged from the ma.
val service of the United States after a ser.
vice of FIVE years He Immediately shipped
on board vessel for England, and on his ar
rival there re-shipped in a merchantmen for
New Orleans The vessel successfully ran
the blockade and her crew was discharged
He was told by the Confederates that he must
enlist, either 10 the army OF navy be pre-
ferred the latter. Upon the completion of the
Merrmac he was detailed as one of the crew,
in the capacity of gunner. In the action of
that memorable Sunday, when she destroyed
the Cumberland and Congress, shot from the
Cumberland entered the port hole Of the bOao
Pivot gun killing tlCO men and lpOunding scUer.
al others. After that no one volunteered to
take charge OF this gun for fear of similar dis.
aster He did so and has since had charge of
it.
Commodore Tatnall was very imbecle
and childish, and so feeble that he had to be
assisted up and down stairs The crew had
no confidence in him, bnt were proud Of Cap
tain Buchanan. When the rebels found that
the tugboat j r. White had deserted and
came down to the Point, they at once conclud.
ed that their plans were given in detail to our
officers here. Capt Byers is worthy of great
praise and many thanks for the impc rtant
news which be brought 1t is well known
here that, owing 10 his information the import.
ant movements lately made took place The
rebels had hghtcned tie Mcrrimac aUith The in.
tentiOn of running her up the James RiUsr to
Richmond but fOding their plans betrayed,
they determined to come down into the Roads
and cover their retreat which was then going
on at Norfolk and Craney Island When our
feet shelled SewalPs Point there were only
tive companies stationed there to keep up ap-
pearance.
The Merrimac, according to arrangements
came down, not TO .fght but to cOUer the retreat,
which was then going on. The officers knew
that the Galena, Aroostook and Port Royal
had gone up the James River therefor their
project in that direction was decidedly impolit
ic. Upon Saturday night consultation took
place on board the MeTrimac TheIoficers oil
became intoxicated, and in this condition de,
bated what the Southern chivalry should do
with their vessel. The conference ended with
the determination to blow her up, and destroy
one of the rebelliOn's greatest hopes So great
was the hurry of the deoarkation that nothing
but the officers and mems effects were removed
They did not even spike the guns as wsS their
intention They took of the locks, and ad
iusting the slow match, left their idol to her
inglorious fate. The gunner had with him all
the locks of the bow pivot gun, and also
sword belonging 10 one of the officers of the
vessel, who had given it to him for the pur
pose Of tationing pickets with, instead of which
be left for Norfolk, and taking the oath of al
legiance, is now on his way North. A gen.
tleman with strong proclivites for trophies,
offered tho gunner FIVE dollars for the pivot
lock, which was accepted after much hes
itation.