Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-06-25


A gentleman who has resided in Norfolk
during the last year, and who saw the Mer-
rimac frequently while she was building
and examined her closely after her fight
with the Monitor, gives the n, Y. Post the
Following interesting account of this YES
sci and her history
She was raised last July, without much
effort. D. s J. Baker Cape COdmen, resi-
dents Of Norfolk, took the contract for
raising her, and received FIVE thousand for
the lob. Messrs. Baker were forced to ac-
eept the work and perform 1t, using for
il their wrecking apparatus.
After she was raised she lay for about q
month in the great dry dock before the
rebel authorities could make up their
minds what to do with her Then they
determined to turn her into a floating bat
terry. They cut her down to within three
feet Of ight-water mark-that is to say,
nearly to her lower deck.
The deck was then raised and laid over
the whole length Of the hull, flush. On
this deck, amidships Of the length, the bat
terry was then built. 1t must be understood
that this battery occupied all the space ex-
eept sixty feet forward and sixty feet abaft.
The battery was built with angular sides
the sides fell in at-an angle Of f0rty-fve
grees, and the two parts Of this roof-like
structure met on top within eight feet
There was, therefore over all the battery,
deck eight feet wide from which the roof
aloped towards the sides Of the ship.
The sides were composed first of ten-ineh
- ~ Al
together, bolted to proper knees 70 secure
it 70 the huh, which also was strengthened
% receive the timbars. This first layer
was also made strong by fOre-and-aft
beams, inside, and vas caulked tightly.
/ Over this was laid fore-and-aft, or across
the first layer, a layer Of four-ineh oak
plank, securely boltsd on and also caulked
tight.
This, in turn, was covered with strips Of
iron, four inches wide, and an inch and q
half thick, laid up and down across the
plank, that is; and another layer over this
Of the same kind Of iron, laid fore and aft.
This, agaia,Was covered with a third layer
Of iron bars, eight inches wide and four
inches thick, running up and down. She
had, therefore, on her battery 3 thickness
Of fourteen inches Of solid oak and seven
inches Of iron.
The iron was made at the Trsdsgar
Works ct Richmond, and very carefully
fitted for its place. There were about
eight hundred tons weight on the ship.
The three layers were not bolted separate
ly, but holes drilled each corresponding
to holes in the othels; and through these
holes inch and half bolts passed clean
through the woodwork. These bolts were
fofelocked inside, and outside they we're
partially ounter-sunk, and driven down
50 as to make the side smooth.
The battery presented outside, therefore,
on each side, a steep roof, slOping at an
angle Of fOrty-fve degrees, which would
shed or glance of a shot striking it.
The narrow deck above the battery
eight feet Wide-consisted Of a bomb-prooi
grating made Of four-inch bar iron. II
was surrounded BY temporary hand
railing. ffa.ai vis- 80
The battery sides we're completely COW
cred by a thick layer Of turpentine and
tallOW, to make the shot glance the more
readily. A
The lower deck, at the extremities
where not covered BY her battery, was COW
cred with inch boiler iron 70 resist bombs
falling on it. Il must be remembered that
this deck was sixty feet long aft and sixty
forward Of the battery. When she wai
first put ahoat this deck was about level
with the water. -o-
Toput It down three feet under water
md thus completely protect i as vel d
the Joints where the battery Joined tn
hull, from the shot, kentiedge was piled d
the deck loose, but smoothly, and insidi
the hull, till she Whs brought down to thl
determined bearings, which were marke'
with 4 red line on the side ef the battery
A EINGULER SUENE.- John NJ Irwin
Esq, Of the Sanitary Commission, just re
turned from the Army Of the Potomac de
aerihes q singular scene which be witness
ed. On the. Oh inst Ee went to visit til
-Fhird PeunsylyaRia Cavalry, (ATerhill's s
near SaYage's Station, on the Riehu0ni
and York River Railroad- and found
Ormsby Robinson ia command Of q suuad
ron Of two companies a and G. 81. Will
at his quarters the horses Of the regiment
.fka1inE irf 3 Eeld by .squadrbnS, iof
startled upon the appearance Of lot o
cattle. To the surprise .of every one the,
formed By tW0s, by f0UFs, and finally il
squsdrops IN front Of the camp snd the
sehafgBd through The adjacent fields II
-beautifnl style, asif ridden BY tie soldier
to whom they beleRged,1 They went sbob
emile from ths eatnpl sna returneds ~
scf9hf f511et ve baen an fnferaets q o,f