The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-02-20
OUR SPECIAL DISPATCHES.
FROM THE GULF FLEET.
u. S. CONSULATE,
E,ScSroN JAMAICA. Jany. Il.

KINGSTON, JAMAICA, Jahy. q.
To the Secretary of the Navy.
SIR: 1t is nay painful duty to inform
the Department of the destruction OF the
United States steamer Hatteras, recently
under my.command, by the rebel steamer
Alabama, on the night of the 18th, off the
coast of Texas. The circumstances of the
disaster are as follows:
AT $50 o'clock A. NJ, of the 18th, while at
anchor in company with the fleet with COM
mander Bell Off Galveston, was ordered by a
signal from the flag ship Brooklyn to chase
sail to the Southwark of Eastward. l got I'M
der way Immediately, and steamed with all
speed in the direction indicated.
AFTER some time q strange sail could be
seen from the Hatteras, and it was ascertained
TO be a steamer; which fact communicated to
flagship by signal. / continued chase, and
gained rapidly upon the suspicious vessel.
When within about four miles of the vessel
observed she had ceased to steam, and was
lying broadside and awaiting us. 1t was nearly
seven o'clock and quite dark, but notwith-
standing the obscurity of the night, l felt as
slred from the general character of the vessel
and her maneuvres that should soon encoun-
ter the rebel steamer Alabama.
Being able to work but four guns on either
side of the Hatteras two short 32-pounders,
one 30.pounder rifed gun and one 20-pounder
rifed gun, / concluded to close with her that
my guns might be as effective as necessary.
came within easy speaking range, and upon
asking, what steamer is that 2 l received the
answer, Her Britanic Majesty's Sloop Vixen.
replied would send a boat aboard, and i'm
mediately gave the order.
In the meantime both vessels were changing
their positions. The stranger endeavoring to
gain desirable position for raking fire. Al
most simultaneously with piping away the
boat, the stranger again replied, We are the
confederate steamer Alabama;" which was
accompanied with broadside. | at the same
moment returned the fire.
% l steered directly towards the Alabama,
but she was enabled by her great speed, and the
fatness of the bottom of the Hatteas, and
consequently her diminished speed, to thwart
my attempt, when had gained a distance of
but thirty yards from her At this range
nuslletry and pistol shots were exchanged.
Firing continued with great vigor ON both
sides
'Atlength Il shell entered amidships in the
mold. setting fire to it, at the same time shell
passed through the sick bay, exploding in an
adjoining compartment, also producing fire.
Another entered the cylinder, filling the engine
room and deck with steam, and deprvng me
ofmy power to maneuvre the vessel or to
work the pumps, upon which the reduction of
the fire depended.
With the vessel Oh fire in two places, and
beyond human power, a hopeless wreck, with
her walking-bcam shot away, and her eng inc
rendered useless, ! still maintained an active
fire, with the double hope of disabling the Ala
baIna and attracting the attention of the feet
off Galveston, which was only twenty-eight
miles distant.
- Il was soon reported to me that shell had
entered the Hatteras at water line, tearing Of
her entire sheets OF iron, and the water rush
ing in, rendering her utterly fruitless. Every
attempt was made to remedy the evil, and that
she was rapidly sinking.
Learning this melancholy truth, and observ-
ing that the Alabama was on my port bow, en-
tirely beyond the range of my guns, doubtless
preparing for a raking fire of my deck, feel
had no right to sacrifice uselessly, and without
any desirable result, the lives ofall under may
command.
ITO prevent the blowing up Of the Halter
as from fire, which was making much head
way, | ordered the magazines flooded, and af-
forwards lee gun to be fred.
The Alabama then asked if we desired any
assistance to which an affirmative answer was
given. The Hatteras was now going down.
and in order to save the lives of my officers and
men, l caused the ammunition on the port
side to be thrown overheard.
After considerable delay caused 10y the re-
port that steamer was seen coming from Gal
weston, the Alabama sent us assistance, and
have the pleasure of informing the Department
that every living being was conveyed safely
from the Hatteras to the Alabama.
Ten minutes after leaving, the Hatteras
went down bow first, with her pennant flying
at her masthead, with all her muskets and
stores OF every character-the enemy not being
able, owing to her rapid sinking, to obtain a
single weapon The battery upon the Alaba-
ma which she brought into action against the
Hatteras, numbered seven guns.
From the character of the contest and the
amount Ofdamaee done to the Alabama, l have
personally no reason to believe that any officer
failed in his duty. To the men of the HATTIE
ras cannot give too much praise. Their en-
thusiasm and bravery was of the highest order.
II enclose the report of the Assistant SUI
geon, by which you will observe that five men
were wounded, and two killed.
] am very respect'ly, your ob't servant
r. G. BLAKE,
Lieut.. Commanding. -