New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-03-12
THE DISASTER AT HAMPTON
Roads.

When We consider the possibilities OF disas
ter involved in the unexpected attack OF th'
Nerrimac, at Hampton Roads, we are over
whelmed with the magnitude of the danger
which was impending over our unconscious
heads. The first success Of the attack, and the
utter destruction of the Cumberland and Con
gress, show what it was possible for an IRON
clad vessel of this kind to accomplish. Obvi'
ously no vessel of our navy. and no combina,
ton of them had the smallest chance OF sue
cess in O conflict with her. Cased in impene'
trabls armor, she was invulnerable by Their
weapons: and strengthened for dashing IN by
her prov the sides of any ordinary ship, II
would seem difficult for such vessels 10 es-
cana destruction in a conflict with her. 1t
seems almost certain that the Minnesota ana
Roanoke must have fallen victims to her second
davis assault; and that nothing but the oPPor'
tune arrival Of the Monitor saved them from the
snme disasters which had so speedily destroyed
the frigates the day before. At the best, the
MINNESOTA might perhaps have escaped by gu
peror speed. Nothing more than this couid
have been hoped for, while the Roanoke must
inevitably have surrendered
The possible results Of the escape of the
Merr;mac from hsrbor for Norfolk to the
omen ocean it is impossible to contemplate
without a shudder. In whatever direction her
force was applied it must have proved over
poweriug. If abe had turned her course
southland against the blockading squadrons OF
the coast, the whole Of them must have either
fed or fallen victims TO her terrific fire. But
the most terrible result would perhaps have
followed an attack by the Merrimac upon
Washington. Proceeding. up the Potomac
there would have been nothing to resist her,
since the means by which New-York could have
been protected against her-sinking vessels at
the entrance to the port-wOuld there have
been unavang. The capital itself might have
been bombarded the bridges connecting Wash
iDgton with the Virginia bank OF tho river de-
stroyed, the communications OF our army
broken, the crossing Of re-enforcements and
supplies interrupted the Cabinet and Congress
put 10 flight; and had q simultaneous advance
Of the Rebel forces taken place from Centre
vile. q yctory might have followed that would
have gone far TO secure the recognition OF the
Confederacy at home, and raised shouts OF eX-
ultation among our enemies abroad.
From this terrific alternative Of disasters We
have been saved by the interposing hand OF
Providence; saved at the last moment in which
salvation was possible by any human agency.
Nov that the immediate urgency of the dan
ger is temporarily removed, we may recall with
advantage the circumstances which have given
occasion 10 IT, Prominent among these is the
policy of delay which has prevailed at Wash.
ington. Such u policy is always hazardous;
and the hazards Of it in a case like the pres
ent are tremendous. Not to speak OF the ac-
cumulating burden Of debt, growing by mil
lions every day, the danger of some unfore-
seen circumstance occurring to change the
state of affairs, is real aud serious. 1t is not
too much to say that Virginia should have
been occupied and Norfolk taken, three months
ago The possibility of such fatal disaster
should never have been allowed TO occur.
Once, in consequence of that policy, we have
been involved in complications which seriously
threatened a foreign war. Again We have been
threatened with tho loss of our blockading
squadrons, the assault of our principal cities
or the demolition of our capital. When shall
possibilities OF this kind be eilectually and for
ever precluded by the occupation Of the Rebel
ports in which such fatal eDgnery of war is
manufactured ! Even now we know not what
efforts are making ut New Orleans for the pro-
duction of similar armed and mailed vessels;
nor do we know the moment when the
Msrrimac, repaired with the utmost in
gcnuity, aud resources OF the Rebels, may
again attempt to escape. The demonstration
OF the extraordinary success of this, the first
conflict OF such vessels in the history of naval
warfare, will stimulate the Rebels to unwonted
effort; and the hopeessness of every other
method of warfare available to them will lend
new energy to their eIertions in this direction.
Norfolk, it seems to us, should at once be at
tackled in force, and captured at all hazards;
while the command of the Mississippi River ~
its mouth should be at once secured by the
most prompt action of the army and navy of
the Weat. Every port at which it is possible
for such vessel to be fitted out by the Rebels,
should DO an early object of attack, till no
further possibility Of such effort on their part
shall be left.
We trust, too, that there will be no delay
in recognizing the efficiency of the new mode
of warfare; or the merit of the men to whom
II Is due. From disasters which are beyond