Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-03-18
From tho 3. y. Tribune.
THE MONITOR.
the Maiden Cruise.
From one wh3 was on board The Battery
AIoNifon. March r. ] go.

in having her anchor inboarl and our ecnor
enrinrpr Mr. NV tai b., 4rl Ne an Oider it
steam AT A.. NJ. i'hc trial trip OF Tuesday
proved in, every way satisfactory, aud all tho
navnl service at the Brooklyn station are satis
fed that Capt ErlGss0na lAlcat eitort will prove
n splendid succesa
TnunspAy. March Il, A. NJ. Our eomsoys, the
gunboata Sachem and Cnrritnck, have lett their
anchorage and are stcaming down the lArbor.
and the powerful towhoai, Seth Low, has given
,a her itrongest hawscr, and now at the signal
Of Can't WOrden, our wharf lines are east of,
the engines ure n motion, and huzZah, we ARE off
with high hopes aud claled spirits for the sccnc
Of our future iiumphs. The morning, which
waa disngrccnble one, with M overcast sky
aud eaden atmosphere, now begins to show
signs 0l amendment. The snn dispels the lnfc
that lines the WhArves, u light breeze springs up
from tho westward, and our prospect is fair ior
a pleasant voyage. Farewell for time, Cob
dock, with your grim ranks Of guardian cannon,
and The massive wooden walls OF the old North
Carolina, II tender and regrettu farewell to you,
old Empire City, with your brilliant Broadway,
and your sensation newspapers Abraham hath
need Of us, aud We go at his call.
AS we pass slowly down the river harbor we
are greeted with inquisitive and wondering
glances from the ferry-bont passengers, and
occasionally faint cheer with waving of hands,
from the approaching few who recognize in our
nondescript figure the Ericsson steam battery.
2 2. M.-The Steward announces dinner, and us
the ward-room officers gather round the table
elation il visible on every countenance. 7.
M.-The pilot has safely conducted us through
the gate Of the ocean at Sandy Hook, and is now,
with carpet-bag in hand, watching the approach
of the boat which is to take him of. Piloboat
No. Z, to WHICH he is attached, hovers in neai
distance, and the conveys are steaming slowly
ahead GU our starboard quarter and abeam
The engines work satisfactorily; the rudder
which has been u source Of anxiety and tenI
from its apparent failure on our trial trip, has
perfect control of her movements, and Captain
Worden appears well satisfied with his com
mand.
FRIDAY, March I, 8 A. M.-We are steaming
slowly down the coast, making about five knots
an hour, with the wind blowing freshly from the
northwest. The sea is rising quite rapidly, ant
at 10 A. M. makes clean sweep over our mair
deck On account of improper cauking Of the
engine-room and forward matches the water
penetrates to the berth deck and into the fire.
room, rendering the positions of engineers any
thing but agreeable. IL M.-The Monitor is
making, according to sailor 0illect, bad weather
The blower-hatches, from defective arrangement
of pipes, allowed good deal of water to pene-
trate TO the engue-room, where, coming in con-
I
on either side of the engine, snapped them asun
der, and left the furnaces without draft II
consequence of this, the engine-rOom sooI
became filled with coal gas from the furnaces
which in n short time Frustrated MIR. Newton
the senior engineer. lie was brought up ant
placed on the deck of the turret where he re
NAMED in an unconscious condition for hftecl
minutes. MIR. sinners, Chief Engineer, wh'
superntended the construction of the Monito
for the Government, and who was passenge
in her 10 Fortress Monroe. repaired to th
engine room at this iuncmre, where he ioun'
Second Assistant Engineer Campbell and Ihir
Assistant Hands, with four liremcn, in state q
| total Inconsistencies on the ii0or OF the fire
room. They were Immediately removed to III
turret deck, where restoraiiyea We're apple
successfully. About p. Nj. we passed Cap
Charles Lighthouse, making about five knots
with steady breeze from the northwest The Sc
Z has moderated slightly, and the vessel has q
I little motion as when running down New ior
| harhor. Al this lime Cape Henry light cont
/ in view. The atmosphere is remarkably cleaI
and every eye is directed with curious interei
ia the low line of sandy coast that forms tll
southern border Of Chesapeake Bny
We are approaching our destination rapid.
| and il We have n continuance of our presei
weather three hours from this time will hnl l
n nchored safely in Hampton Roads, +. NJ
| MT St0dder, First Master, from the tower, r.
poFts heavy firing in the distance AZ first Cap
| WIrlen attributes the reports TO artillery pra'
ticer ut Fort Monroe hut an honr later the ia'
of h ursting shell is plainly visible. We are no
cert ain that nm engagement Is in progress, NJ
onr Interest becomes intense, fearing that Il
Rebe steamer Merrnac may be raining her ir
hail q n the comparatively delenceess vessels
ancho in the Roads But one desire animat
our or, wv, officers and men, and is plainly vist
in their compressed lips and anxious faces, al
that is o play their part in the fray. p. Nj.
The rem, ,rt of heavy artillery is becoming INC
and NOR, distinct, and in range Of the bursti
shells, in the direction Of Fortress Monroe,
vivid light of n burning vessel is plainly seen.
SP, M The Monitor has dropped her ancl
in tho Ron DIS, short distance nbeam Of I
frigate Roa 9oke, the flagship of the squadron
this station. A small steamer has just han
alongside, d. Hpatched by the military authorit
of the Fortre IS to acquaint Captain Worden "
the particulf us of the afternoons action.
eautaIn of the. steamer was greatly excited, a
in n hurried and almost incoherent mani
related the st, Try the afternoons disaster.
After castn G anchor, Capt. Worden repor
to the flagship Roanoke fer orders. lie return
, in a short time, being ordered to lay alongs
/ the Minnesota y defend her against the Mer
mac who. il wasr feared, would renew the ats
snugly anchored a1uugside; but no boatsw
piped "all hands TO hammoaks" mat night
Exciting thoughts Oh the long Nyished'ior ii
with the enemy drove slumber from the 9
lids of each hardy Monitor" But the nj
passed, and the Merrimac did not come.
SUNDAY, March 9.-1'he sun rose in cl'
!, uuclouded sky, and rev. called to the anx!
watchers on the tower three vessels appareI
at anchor off sewalls Point; but the dista
was too great TO distinctly observe their outlir
mo doubt, however, is felt but that one of tn
is the Merrimac, and frOLl some movemen
little later observed, Capt. W orden believes sh
preparing for an engagement
The Monitor is to be imme diately put IN ng
+ ing trim. The iron matches Hre closed, the coy
,e are placed over the deadlig hts, and in lift
minutes from the time the orlers are given
- main deck presents u clear sweep, unbrO
except by the turret and piot house. q
ty M.-The crew are sent to stations on the b.
<. deck from magazine to turret ladder, and at
az guns. Captain Worden, Lieutenant Green,
he several Of the other officers are standing on
g. turret deck looking anxOusIy at the myster
mouananfa of tha Veasela in the distance