Weekly national intelligencer., 1863-02-19
THE LATE NAVAL FIGHT IN THE GULF.

THE LATE NAVAL FIGHT IN THE GULF.
Lieut. Com BLAKE, who in command Of the United
States steamer Hatras at the time Of her late encounter
with the Confederate steamer Alabama in the Gulf OF
Mexico has frwarded to the Navy Department the sub
joined official report of that unfortunate affair:
UNITED STATES CONSULATE,
Kingston, Jamaies. January 81, 1868.
Hon, GIDEON WELLvs, Secretary Of Navy.
SIR It is my painful duty to Inform the Department of
the destruction Of the United States Steamer Hattera
Gently under my commend by the Confederate steamer
Aabas, thu night Of the llth instant of the coast of
l@xss The circumstances Of the cad disaster are as
fellows:
Upon the afternoon Of the lth instant at hafuast
o'clock, while at anchor in company with the feet under
Commodore Bell, Il. Galveston, Texas, was ordered by
signal from the United Staies flagship Brooklyn, TO chase
a SAL to the southwark and eastward. @ R'
got under way immediately aud steamed with oil speed
in the direction Indicated After time the strange
sail could be from the Hateias, and sscerained
TO be steamer which fact communicated tothe agship
by signal
continued the cbase and rapidly gained on tho susp
cons vessel Knowing tho slow rate OF speed Of the Hat
srhs at once suspected that d. ccepliOn being prsc
ed and hence ordered the ship To DO cleared for action
with every thing in rsadIess for determined attack and
vigorous defence When within about four miles Of the
vessel observed that she had ceased to steam and
lying " broadsde on awaiting u.s. 1t nearly seven
O'clock and quit dark but notw hstanding the obscuty
of the night felt assured from the general character Of
the rebel steamer Alabama.
Being able to work but four euns up one side of the
Hateras-two short 32pounders, 30-pounder riaed
Parrott 2un, and 20pcundcr red gun-I concluded
to elise with her. orter that my guns might be effective
if necessary came within easy speaking range, (about
esentyfse yards) and upon asking, What steamer 10
that Z! received the answer, Her Britannia Majesy's
hp Vixeo." / replied that would send boat aboard,
and medlat.ly gave the order.
ln the mean time the stranger endeavoring to gain
desirable position Tor a raking fire. Almost simutsne-
ousy With he piping away of the boat, the stranger
craft again replied 1--WE aIe the Confederate steamer
Alabama" which was accompanied with broad.ide | at
the same momebt returned the fire.
Being of the many vulnerable points of the Hate
ras hope by closing with the Alabama be able TO board
her. and thus rid the of this piratc craft steered
directly for the Alabama but she enabled by her great
speed and the unsss Of the bottom of the Hatteras and
consequently her diminished speed to thwart my atte pt
when had gained distance of but thirty Yards of her
At this range musket ard pistol shots were exchanged and
the firing continued with great vigor both Sides At
length shell entered amidship in the hold setting fire to
it, and at the instant hardly divide the tlme
shell passed through III, sick bay, exploding in an ad
joining compartment also producing fire another entered
the cylinder, filing the engine-room aud deck with steam
and deprivng of all power to maGGuvre the vessel
or to work the pump which the reduction Of the fire
depended. $500
With the vessel on FIRE two places, and beyond human
power hope wreck upon the water with her walking
beam hot away AID her engine rendered useless ,tll
maintained active fire, with double hope OF disabling
The Alabama of attracting the attention Of the neet of
Galveston VIII ch was oDly tWenty-eight miles distant
1t was reported to that tie shells had entered
the Hateras the water ne tearing of entire sheets of
iron, and that the water rushing in utterly defyug
every attempt to remedy the evil aod that che rapidly
sinking.
Learning this melancholy truth and observing that the
Alabama was on my port bow, entirely beyond range of
guns doubtless preparing for raking FIRE Of the decks
felt that had right to sacrf useessy and without
any desirable result the lives of all under my command
To prevent tie Blowing up Of the Haterss from the fire.
which wHs making much progress ordered the magazine
t. be flooded and afterwards lee gun be fred 1he
Alabama then asked if assistance desired to which an
affirmative wer was given. iftH&a
The Hatteras rapidly going down. and in ordar
to save the lives OF chcers and men, caused the arm
ament the port side to be thrown overheard Had ;
not done confident that the vessel would have
down with many brave hearts and valuable lives At
tr considerable delay caused by report that steamer
coming from Galveston, the Alabama eent us as
stance; ard have the pleasure to inform the Depart
ment that every ving being conveyed safely the
HateTas to the Alabama.
Ten minutes after leaving the Hateras abe went down
bow first with her p.pnant at her masthead with all her
uskets aud stores OF every characters the enemy be.
log able, owing to her rapid sinking to obtain single
weapon. The battery upon the Alabsms brought iuto
action sgast the Haeras, numbered eeyen guns
lag Of four long pounders 100 FOUNDER red pun
one 6S FOUNDER, and one 2i-pounder rihed gun.
The great superiority of the Alabama, with her power
full battery and her machinery &c. under the water hne
must beat recognised by the Department who are
familiar with the construction of the Hateras and her
total ultnes for contest with regularly built veselof
The distance between the Hsteras and the Ahbsma
durng tie action varied from twenty-five TO one hundred
yard. Nearly Fifty shots fired from the Hatterss
and presume greater number fIom the Alabams
desire to refer to the efficient and active manner in
which Acting Master Henry Potter, executive officer per
formed bis duty The conduct Of Assistant Surgeon Ed.
ward 8. Matthews both during the action and afterwards
IN after ton 10 the wounded demands my unqualified com
meDdaton would also bring to the favorable notice of
tho Department Actlig Masters Mate f. j. Mc(,rath
performing duty gunner. Owing TO the
darkness OF the night and the peculiar construction of tbe
Hatelas able only to refer to the conduct of those
officers who came under my especial attention but from
the character Of the conteat and the damage
done to the Alabama have personally reason TO beeve
that any ocer failed in his duty To the of the Hat
teas cannot give too much praise their enthusiasm and
bearing Of the bighest oider.
| enclose the report OF Assistant Surgeon Edward g.
Matthews, by which you will observe that five men have
teen wounded and tao killed the mssino IL IA boped
have reach.d the fleet al Galveston.
shall communicate to the Department 10 a separate
report the movements Of myself and command from the
time Of cur transfer to the Alabama until the departure OF
the earliest mail from this place to the United States
am. very respectfully your obedient servant
II. O. BLAKE, "
Lieutenant Commander u. S. Navy.