The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-05-19
THE REPUlSE ON THE JAMES RIVER.
The Vessels Engaged with the Rebel Batteries
and Lists Of the Officers Attached to Each.
Sketch Of James River and James.
town Island,

tVWA 4S400uy
dc., Gc., &e.
Tho despatch that received at the War Department
on Saturday last from Williamsburg, Va, gives the
intelligence that the gunboats Gaena Monitor Aroos
took Naugatuck and Port Royal repused from Fort
Darling, miles below Richmond, on the previous
day, and that portion Of them had returned Janes
town Island, in James river.
Lieutenant Morris, commanding the Port Royal
brought down with him q number Of those who were
killed and wounded during the engagement, and seven
cen OF the former have been the banks Of
the river. There number Of the wounded still
on board whom the despatch left, including Lieutenant
Morris.
appears that the hundred pound gun OF the Nam
gatuck burst at the first are.
ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.
No official report of the gunboat affair the James
river has beon received the Navy Department The
messages received tho subject indicate opportunity
to do better in the future The river Of OBJ
structons to within eight miles of Richmond. At that
point there is heavy battery mounted high bluff
and the river is temporarily closed to navigation by
sunken vessels among which said to be the York
town and jamestown, and by piles, chains, &c. Tho
Monitor could not elevate her guns sufficiently to reach
the high battery, which rendered her useless. Tho
banks Of tho river filed with rifle
pits, from which incessant fire was poured
upon the feet, part of which was engaged
at from 600 TO 900 yards from the battery After
an action of four hours the fse finding mpractcable
under the circumstances to silence the battery the
bluff withdrew. Our loss thirteen killed and eleven
wounded Among the latter Lieutenant Norris, in the
leg, by MIME ball. but not seriously. It is expected
that full particulars will be received in the morning
Reception OF the News in Warrington
Explanation OF the Cause OF the Re-
pulse.
8G5 WASHINGTON, May IS, 1862.
The epuss Of our gunboats by the rebel fort James
river, just below Richmond, as stated in q meagre
despatch, produced much excitement here, until ex-
planned that for some time past the rebels have been
obstruetng the river at that point with sunken stons
Immediately under the guns Of strong fort upon bluff
high above the river that the guns Of vessels
cannot be elevated enough to reach it.
1t is quite certain that attempt was made by our
gunboas to these obstructons under fatal FIRE
from the fort, which was able to pour its shot with
accuracy down upon them, while they could not reply
with any effect. This fort only be reached with
mortars but the distractions could be dragged OF
the channel the gunboas might easily pass the fort and
have the city Of Richmond at their mercy.
The Naugatuck carried only single gun-a riaed one
FOUNDER Parrot The bursting OF this piece at
the first fire renders her unservceabe until the shat
tered Parrot be replaced by reliable piece Of
ordnance.
Description OF the Union Gun boats.
The following is complete description Of the vessels
engaged in tho above action with list OF the officers
attached to each
description Of tho iron-clad gunboat Ga ena
having already been published in the HERALD, Will
merely state here that she partly built at Mystic,
Connecticut and afterwards brought the port Of New
York to receive her armament armor and machinery.
After arriving here very important alterations in
plan Of the construction of her made by
which her strength and power of resistance
dcred much greater than at first deemed practicable
Tho object which it designed to in tho
Of this vessel deemed almost impossible Of
accomplishment and the project was therefore, like the
building of the Monitor experiment. To the well known
naval architect Samuel II. Pook, of Boston, is due the
praise OF putting into successful operation what seemed
wholly inconsistent with itself-tha vessel could be
built two hundred feet long thirty six feet breadth Of
beam and one thousand tons burthen-the size and
description of vessel of the ordinary construction
which would require tho depth OF about twelve feet
water and yet be strong enough to sustain shot PROOF
covering have draught of water Of but ten feet
and contain engines and machinery which would give
her a speed Of about twelve knots per hour-in short
that she should be entirely seaworthy perfectly
adapted TO the purposes OF cruising as wooden vessels
in common use and, in addition, be impensrable That
all these desirable objects have been accomplished
have had ample proof from the tests already employed
on her. In her trial trip from the Continental Iron
Works Grsenpoint to the Navy Yard, Brooklyn, she
accomplished about miles per hour under only half
head Of stsam minded her helm beautifully and her
machinery worked with the utmost satisfaction. After
receiving her outfit and picked she sailed from
the Navy Yard on the 23d Of April, making q speed
Of about ten miles per hour. After arriving Fortress
Monroe her asts rigging and other objects her upper
deck removed that her smoke stack and pilot
house were the only objects which Afforded mark for
the enemy above her covered deck The particulars OF
her recent engagements having been already published
in the HERALD II is unnecessary here to repeat them IL
is enough know that in those engagements she has
given unqualified proof that she is an ronclad vessel OF
no mean power OF resistance and is destined to hold
very prominent position in history Of the American
| Navy.
Her designer Mr. Julius Patterson; constructors
Mcssrs Maxon Fish Co., and the general superntend
| suce was conducted by Naval Constructor Pook
| Annexed Is list Of her offcers:-
Cop.mander--John Rodgers.
| Acting Maaers-B W. Lorng, A. W. Emerson and 8. b.
| washb1rn.
| Assiaant Suroeon--R s. Van Grsson.
Acino Assssant Pdymdster-J. II. Selman.
Enoineeys-Frst Assistant (Acting Chief JW. Thomp-
son Jr. Acting First Assistant, A. g. Pemble Acting
Second Assistants A. s. Chapman and Frank A. Bresmon
Acting Third Assistants, Thomas Mlhoand and James
Dobbs.
Bcatsicain-Robert Dixon.
Ganner-J. u. Boovom.
xct,no Masters Mates--A. Msldram A. MoClsary, f.
A. Geando and J. ii. Jenks
The Galena also carries sergeants guard of marines
and a crew Of about 100 men.
MONITOR.
Although full description Of the glorious little Moni
tor has been published in the HERALD twice, We give
few particulars concerning her, feeling confident that
everybody is interested in her movements.
The trial trip, after the vessel had been finished was
anxiously looked for, not only by the public but BY
Captain Ericsson and Albar c. sinners, Chief Engineer
United States Navy together with Isaac Newton First
Assistant Engineer United States Navy. Under the care