Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-01-15
omeiai Report of Com. Tr.nchard; OF Tn. Hhod,
Island.
U. s. STEAMER RHODE IMAND
Hampton Roads, January 3. 1864

S'-s'"A ANsfVA~ V. 0S.'A' ~He"enaru, OF the Hhoda
Island.
ez.z--~- u. s. STEAMER RHODE IHAsDl
Hampton Roads, January 3, 1863
- Sir Il have the honor to report, in conformity yu
your orders of the Gath ult THAT the Rhode Island
proceeded TO with the ironclad steamer Monitn
tow, at halfpast two 2. M. of the 29th ut the I;j
being light from the Southyard and Westward with .
smooth sea. The weather continued favorable dn;..
the night and the Monitor towed easily speed ranen
between. five and six miles per hour At one !, S7t
the Both made Cape Hatteras lighthouse BEARING "
S. W. fourteen miles distant. he weather during tho
day continued the same. At sunset when seve6teon
miles Southeast of Cape Hatteras, made the seamor
State OF Georgia with the Passac in tow to the NoTb
ward and Eastward Of US, the wind being light at N
time from Southwark and Westward wiS indication,
of good weather. Between eight and mine P M the
wind freshened, hauling more to the Southwark and
attended with rainy. and squally weather.
At nine p NJ. the Monitor made signals to stop
We stopped the engines starting themagan soon after
During the interval the Monitor appeared to be ly
ia the trough OF the sea, aboriDg heavily the sea ma
king complete breach over he The steamer was tbon
brought head to wind and sea; under easy steam and
the Monitor rode much easier and made better weather
About two hours afterwards eleven p. NJ wien about
twenty miles South Southwest of Cape Hatteras. Com
mander Bankhead made signals for assistance and uncn
baliDg we learned the Monitor in sinking cordi
ton We lowered our launch aud frst cutter Titbont
delay, AID commenced getting Ter crew en- board
While so engaged the Monitor ranged upon our nor,
quarter staving in the launch and to prevent sefna
collision, by which the Rhode Island would have been
badly injured, it necessary TO force the steamer
ahead little, While under quarter ropes were
thrown board the Monitor, but reluctant did the
appear to leave their vessel that they did not take
advantage of this opportunity to save themselves
The vessels now being separated, third beat was
then lowered to assist the others in getting the crew On
board Acting Masters Mate Brown the officer in
chargao the first cutter deserves special credit for the
skltuI manner in which he managed his boat having
made two trips to the Monitor and rescuing number
OF her Encouraged by the success attending them
Mr.. Brown started another trip and soon after was
hailed and directed to lie on his oars or drop astern
and be towed up, the Rhode Island would steam for
the Monitor soon the men conld be got on board
from the boats alongside and the boats hosted up Mr.
Brown perhaps not understanding the order proceeded
on in the direction of the Monitor whose red light from
her turret was still visible but by the time the steamer
ready to turn her wheels the light had unfortunate
ly disappeared
l:3O p. NJ, on the 3Oth ult.-The stcam proceeded
slowly in the direction which the Monitor bore when
last seen and eudeavored to keep her position as near
as possible throughout the night, burning Costou's
nigf signals at intervals. ---s
After daylight, not seeing anything of the missing
boat decided to cruise between the position she had
separated from and Cape Hatteras and the extcmi-
ty of its shoals, with the hope OF falling in with her
This plan Carned out, and the day (3lst ultmo)
without 1t is possible, however that the boat
may have been picked up by of the humorous yes.
sells that were seen of the coast that day The boat
was buoyant, had good crew, and no doubt well
aged, and entertain hope that her daring crew have
been saved by some passing vessel.
Acting Ensign Taylor, the officer who had charge Of
the launch which bad rendered good service speaks in
high praise of the gallant conduct of acting Masters
Mate Stevens, who, vine the launch was manning went
quietly into the "Hs, took Of the oars, and while
alongside the NJ or, in striving to offers was
himself washed ~ the boat, rescued by the first
cutter. Mr. Il To- also speaks in the highest terms of
David T. COmptpa, cockswain of the launch who, when
the boat stove and rendered unfit for service
locks broken declared he would not leave the boat
would 60 to the Monitor if he had to scul the
boat
| enclose herewith list OF the men in the missing
boat belonging TO the Rhode Island.
l am, very respectfully, your obedent servant.
STEPHEN d. TRBNCHARD,
Commander
Acting Rear Admiral S. P. LEE, commanding North
Atlantic Blockading Squadron Hampton Roads.
NAMES OF THE MISSING FROM THE RHODE ISLAND.
The following is list of the men missing in the first
enter from the United States steamer Rhode Island
Acting Masters mate j. Rodney Brown in charge.
Charles H. Smith, coxswain
Maurice Wagg, coxswain.
Hugh Logan, captain after guard,
Lewis A. Horton, seaman
Jobf Jones, landsman.
Luke NJ. Girls void, ordinary seaman.
George Moore, seaman.