Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-01-05
THE LAST HOURS OF THE GALLANT
LITTLE MONITOR.
THRILLING DESCRIPTION or saDrsD
BY HEP COMMANDER
PHBilGUS ADVENTURES OF HHR OFFICERS
AND CREW.
L. = & RuODk IaIaSn Ian, r-so

IL. j.,
sir: l have the honor to report 70 you, that
the Monitor left Hampton Roads, in tow of the
Z :. steamer Rhode Island, on the both u.cerp.
Der. le02, az 200 p. NJ. wind light ~ :. W,
vralher clear and pleasant, ant every prosract
OF its Contin uation.
Passed Cape Henry at p. NJ, water smooth.
and every thing working we'll
During the night the weather continued The
sam. until =. n. when W. began to experience
asIreN from the south w ard, with A SLIGHT in
crease OF the wind from tbs southwest: the -,
breaking over The piio;-house, forward and
breaking over the base Of the ss,ovar,, ;,,,t
without sufficient force TO break over il: found
that The pacAin. OF oakum under and around
The base OF the tower had ioosened somewhat
from the worAing Of the tower A. the vessel
pitched ana rolled speed st the time a bout Il Va
knots asccrtained from the engineer OF lha
watch mat me biige pumps kept her perfectly
free, occasionally sucking" ielt no aprrehsn.
.iou at the time.
The weather during the day until o. IN
was variable, with occasional squalls OF wind
and rain, and towards evening the swell sor,s-
VIVA. decreased: the bilge pumps beins found
amply sufficient 20 keep her clear of the wafer
that penetrated through the sight holes OF the
pilot-h house and base ri tower, (al! Of which
hid been we'll caulked previous to leaving,
At 30 the wind hauled n ore to the south. in
cTessing il strength and causing the sea 10
rise; computed position at the time about fif
ts"r Mills S. and ". OF Cape Hstteras shoals
Found lie vessel towed badly; yawing very
much, and with the increased motion making
somewhat more water around the base Of The
tower. Ordered eng neer TO put on the Worth
ington pump, bilge injection, and TO 90, the
centrifugal pump ready, and 10 report 10 me
Immediately II be perceived any increase OF
The water.
N.--The sea about this time common csd
tcrise very rapidly, causing the vessel TO plunge
heavily, completely u bmersins the pilot-house,
and washing over and In 70 It. and at tines in To
The blower pipes. Observed that when she
rose 10 the swell the hat under surface of pro-
iecting arnor would come down with great
force, causing considerable shock 10 ths yes-
sci and turret, thereby ioosening stIu more the
packing around Its base. Sisnalled several
times TO the Rhode Islsnd TO STOP In order 70
ascertain II by 80 doing she might ride easier or
decrease the influx OF water. But could per.
ceive no difference; tina vessel falling or imuae-
diately into the trough OF the sea and rolling
heavily.
Tho engineer at thls time reported tina, II
would be necessary to start the centrifugal
pump, a. the other failed to keep the water
under. Ordered him 70 do 50 immedistely and
report 10 me the effect. The sea continued to
rise, and the vessel striking heavily forward
The engineer reported that the pumps were oil
working well, but produced no effect upon the
water, which by Ibis time had risen several
inches above the engine room floor.
About 1880 p. m, having given the pumps a
fair trial, and finding the water gaining rap.
idly upon us, determined to make the precon.
certed signal Of distress which was innedi.
ately answered by the Rhode Island. Rsnxed
up close 10 her, and reported that the water was
gaining rapidly upon us, and requested him 70
send boats to take on the crew
Finding that the heavy ssresm cable used 20
tow the Minitor rendered the yesseI up-ss
assable, and. while dangling struck her bow.
and being under tbs absolute necessity 10 wo-k
the engines 20 Keep the pumps going, ordered
II 70 bs cut, and run down close under the lea Of
the Rhode leland, 81 tint almost touching her
VAR ccn.in ued TO gain upon The pumps. And
had alnost reached the ash pits.
Two Scats reached US from tia Rhode Island.
when l ordered Lieut., Green % put as 10 AZ y
rcan intO then - they would safely carry
While cutting 'ha rlrn TITO them "a very dan ger.
o's operation. Caused by tbs heavy SEA break
ing entirely over tie tcck,) the vessels touched
siigAhy, nsHTly crushing tho beat N d endanger
ing the ri odp Island h"rs"if. So our shsip hsy,
ana side would undoubtedly have stove her
II esr tna waters edge had she struck upon Us
heavily Tia RHODE IsI.nr stpan1nt aItrhtIy
nhesd. snd the vessels separated q short lis
ts.cp.
ftIi,D :ny engine. ~ slo,9lv and All
t... inn'le H. i"!i !'.,. iai. va. .-.;.in,
II r.iIES 81 A.,.rS han % = ~. t,-,,e !, Ii.