Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-04-08
rae PROJECTED ATTACK UPON CHARLESTON.
['p:clai correspondence OF the Philadelphia Pressl

I'pscial correspondence OF the Philadelphia Pressl
Huron HkAD, March Esd, 1868.
When this letter reaches YOU the attack, by our en-
tire feet upon the hot-bed of the rebellion will have
| fairly commenced.
There can be no harm now in giving you some ae'
count of the great preparations for the attack aud in
| vestment and the cause Of the various delays.
/ The Prime cause of the delay of the attack Oh
Charleston has not been with the army as many sup
pose for il has been said from the highest authority
that the troops have been waiting the word from the
AID ra has the DELAY been caused BY the weather
aOa but the presence in Charleston harbor of the tor
pedoes with which, it has been proved, Monitors unas-
| sisted, unable TO cope.
1t viii be granted By the most sangune OF our
con to CharIestoners" that With the experience of the
MOntauk staring Admiral Dupont in the face it would
have been criminal folly to send Monitors unprepared
10 meet what these arrangements are devised to
come The Monitors engaged in this attack fol-
lows The Passac, Capt Drayton; the Patapsco Capt.
| Ammon; the Weehawken, Capt. Deans; the Nahant,
Capt Johu Rodgers; the Cattskil, Capt. Fairfax, OF
Trent memory; the Nsntasket, Capt Geo. Rodgers !;
and the Montauk, Capt Worden the hero of irUu-cad
warfare 1t is but fair to remark that Capt. Worden,
though has been his lot to rough experience with
Monitors is enthusiastic in his belief in their efficacy.
Inc keokuk is also booked for the affair In addition
10 these is the iron rgate New IrOnsides Commodore
Turner whih has been the flagship Of the Charleston
bockIding fleet for month past. Her armament
sss Of fourteen llnch guns and two 400 pound rifles
From riding out or two gales of wind il has been
sucCn ly proved that the doubts OF her seaworthness
we're uuiouuded. The Wabash, with her large crew,
ESQ men, and heavy armament, unfortunately, draws
too much water % feet to cross the bar also the
PUehatan iorm.ry commanded by Com. Godon, aud
the Pawnoe (caled the blockade devil last year. by Sc
cesh) aud wall, therefore, remain 10 receive the ram
expected attempt the rccapure OF Port Royal during
the 40 eHce 0! cur iIoa-ciad fleet
now me YANKEES PROPOSE DIAL VIM ToHpEDoEs.
lltSiu fh In, tI.
attack upon Charleston lhroagh apprehension of tor
pcdoes in the sorbor, says
But Captain Ericsson, OF New York, has devised a
plan by which tins difficulty is obviaed, and has already
sent down Jour oil these machines three OF which were
lost in gale Of wind, while the remaining one with
officially tue steamer Ericsson has safely toNed into
Port Royal harbor. IL may be of interest describe
principle which these are constructed An iron
frame hoatcd to the waters edge by iron Sponsons Is
pushed ahead If the Monitor as she runs ill., lis length
from the bow OF the MONITOR from ~ to 80 feet An
aperture made next to tue vessel OF the shape of her
bows intended 10 receive H. The breadth of the " Oh
s.ruction Remover" it is called. is feet. From
each side Of the extremity strong iron bar shalt
runs down also II feet, the Monitor drawing but from
TO 10 feet water thus rendering il impossible for any
torpedoes over which this obstruction Remover
passes 10 injure the vessel.
number of iron bars are used, not only to form
network so to either push forward explode every
torpedo less than twelve feet under water but also
strengthen and steady the masts. At the bottom
heavy bar unes these two vertical rods upon which
rests the percussion torpedo containing seven hEn-
dred pounds of powder. Above this is hammer which
catches in spring so still 10 require two 10 set
it, but constructed that the lever which prorudcs in
front forming the handle other end OF the hammer
will cause the spring to give with little pressure This
Is to remove piles TGe experiments made upon this
machine in the North have demonstrated the fact that
1t is 4 complete success, and an amount Of powder
greater than has ever been proposed for any torpedo
before caused no injury the vessel and indeed did
not disturb any OF the ties Of the obstruction re-
mover" 1t will be readily that under no crcum
stances can any be given to the Monitor for sup
posing the apparatus to be destroyed, floats indie
prudenty OF the Monitor, supporting ITSELF the WOE
that car happen is its loss.