Delaware State journal and statesman., 1863-02-13
Operations of the Ram "Queer
of the West"
SHD is SET ON FIRE, BUT NOT MUCH
DAMAGED, BY THE REBEL GUNS.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF COM ELLE7

United States Steam Ram "Queen of he West"l
Below Vicksburg, Feb. 2.
Admiral In compliance with your instruc-
tons started on the Queen of the West at Al
o'clock this morning, to pass the batteries at
Vicksburg, and sink the Rebel steamer lying
before that city
discovered Immediately on starting that the
change Of the wheel from its former position to
the narrow space behind the Queens bulwarks
did not permit the boat to be handled with auf-
ieient accuracy.
An hour or more was spent in rearranging the
apparatus, and when We finally rounded the
point the sun had risen. and any advantage
which would have resulted from darkness was
lost to US
The Rebels opened heavy fire upon us as
we neqred the city, but we we're only struck
three times before reaching the steamer She
was lying in nearly the same position which the
Arkansas occupied when General Elet ran the
Queen into her ON former occasion. The same
causes which prevented the destruction of the
Arkansas then, saved the City OF Vicksburg this
morning. Her position was such, that if we had
run obliquely into her as we came down. the
bow Of the Queen would inevitably have glanced.
We were compelled 10 partially round in order
10 strike. The consequence was, that at the
very moment Of collision, the current being
rapid and strong at the point, caught the stern
OF my boat and acting on her bow as q pivot,
swung her round so rapidly that nearly ali her
momentum was lost.
had anticipated this result, and therefore
caused the starboard bow gun to be shotted with
three ofIhe iucendiary projectiles recommended
in your orders. As we swung round, Sergeant
j II. Campbell, detailed for this purpose, fired
this gun. "A sxty-four pound shell crushed
through tho barrcade just before he reached the
spot, but he did not hesitate. The discharge
took place At exactly the right moment and sci
the Rebel steamer in flames, which they subse-
quently succeeded in exlinguishing.
AT this moment one of the enemy's shell set
the cotton nenr the slarboard wheel on fire
while the discharge of cur own gun ignited that
portion which was on the bow. The flames
spread rapidly, and the dense smoke rolling into
the engine room suifOcated the engineer
saw that If attempted to run into the CITY
OF Vickssurg again that my boat would certainly
be burned l ordered her TO be headed down
stream, and ordered every man to the extinguish
ing OF the Almes
After much exeriOn we finally put the fire
out by cutting the bales loose. The enemy. Of
course, were not idle. We were struck three
t'mes but though the cabin door was knocked
to pieces, no material injury 10 the boat or tc
any OF those on board the boat was inflicted
About two regiments Of Rebel sharp. shooter,
in He-pits kept up continual firing, but did
no damage.
The Queen Of the West was struck twice in
the hull, hut above water line. One of our Guns
was dismOunted and ruined.
can only speak in the highest terms of the
conduct of every man On board. An behaved
with cool, determined courage. ! remain very
respectfully.
CHARLES RlVERs ELLRr,
Commanding the Ram Fleet.
DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear Admiral, Com
mauding tho Mississippi Squadron.